“Reclaiming African Narratives” Masterclass to celebrate Black History Month
In collaboration with DkIT’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion office, Marguerite Kounou of Wo+Men In The Digital Age, a black-owned, female-led startup that uses technology to amplify underrepresented voices, recently hosted a Masterclass exploring the theme of: “Reclaiming African Narratives.”
The Masterclass was facilitated by Leyla F. Karaha, founder of KPesa, a social innovation crowdfunding platform for women entrepreneurs, and focused on how through reclaiming African narratives, we can more fully understand how history has shaped our global order—and more crucially, how it can be rewritten to foster a more inclusive future.
Expert speakers included acclaimed African Historian and best-selling author, Emmanuel Kulu Jr and, race relations consultant and Director of the Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies, Dr. Ebun Joseph.
The discussion focused on untold stories and reclaiming the narratives that have been erased or rewritten, and focused on topics such as Africa’s forgotten past, challenging the status quo and the importance of opening a dialogue and correcting long-standing misconceptions around black history.
Tobi Bewaji, Vice President of Welfare and Equality at DkIT said:
“We're really excited to kick off Black History Month with the masterclass event, Reclaiming African Narratives. It’s a great opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the richness of African heritage. We have many more events lined up, organised by the Student Union, to keep the celebration going all month long.”
The event was another important step in DkIT’s continued commitment to equality and inclusion. Last year, the Institute signed the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Anti-Racism Principles as part of its ongoing work to foster a culture of race equality within its community. The HEA recognises the importance of addressing race inequality in Irish higher education and developed the Anti Racism Principles after extensive consultation with stakeholders from the higher education sector.
About Wo+Men In The Digital Age
Wo+Men In The Digital Age is a Black-owned, female-led startup that uses technology to amplify underrepresented voices. As part of the highly competitive Phase 2 of the New Frontiers program, supported by Enterprise Ireland, DCU, and Dundalk Institute of Technology, the startup is developing an AI-driven mobile app that promotes well-being, cultural sensitivity, and diversity through storytelling. Central to our mission is the belief that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) history is human history. By sharing diverse stories, we aim to empower marginalized communities while reshaping the global narrative for a more inclusive future.
