University of Brighton partners with BARCO to champion race equity and celebrate Black culture

BARCO is a Black-led community organisation working to tackle racism while celebrating and strengthening Black culture. Through community advocacy, cultural organising, education and collective care, the organisation supports Black people living, working, studying and visiting Brighton & Hove and the surrounding area. 

The new agreement will see the University collaborate with BARCO on a programme of activity designed to deepen community connections and create more inclusive opportunities for students and staff and local residents. 

A key part of the partnership will be the University’s involvement in BARCO’s flagship BASH Carnival – a major annual celebration of Black culture in Brighton that attracts thousands of people from across the south coast. 

The University will have a visible presence at the event, supporting its aim to bring communities together through music, food, performance and cultural celebration. 

The partnership will also include collaboration on: 

• Black History Month activities 

• Community support sessions 

• Listening and reflection spaces to strengthen dialogue between the University and Black communities 

• Wider opportunities for students and staff to engage with BARCO-led initiatives 

The partnership supports the University of Brighton’s ambition to be the first-choice university for enterprise and equity, and its ongoing work to address differential outcomes for students. 

By working with a trusted, Brighton-based organisation rooted in lived experience, the University aims to strengthen its role as a civic anchor institution, building meaningful relationships with local communities and supporting inclusive growth across the city. 

Professor Kene Igweonu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, said: 

“This partnership with BARCO is an important step in strengthening how we work with our city to advance equity, inclusion and community belonging. 

“As a university, we are committed to addressing differential outcomes and ensuring all our students have the opportunity to thrive. Working with a trusted, Brighton-based, Black-led organisation like BARCO helps us to build deeper relationships, listen more carefully, and develop more effective and lasting solutions. 

“We are especially proud to support the BASH Carnival, which creates opportunities for our students and staff to engage with, contribute to and help shape one of the city’s most important celebrations of Black culture.” 

“This partnership reflects our civic commitment to work alongside our communities, celebrate cultural diversity, challenge inequities, and help create a more inclusive Brighton for everyone.” 

Bud Johnston, Co-Founder of BARCO, said: 

“This partnership reflects a shared goal: to help create a city where everyone feels represented, connected and able to thrive. For BARCO, it’s an exciting opportunity to build stronger links between the University of Brighton and the wider community, while celebrating Black culture, supporting local voices and creating lasting positive change.” 

Through joint working, the University and BARCO will create opportunities for people across Brighton & Hove to engage with issues of race, culture and equity, while celebrating the richness and diversity of Black experiences across the region.  

While the agreement is initially for one year, both organisations share an ambition to develop a sustained, multi-year partnership that delivers long-term impact for students and the wider community.