Tea and Cupcakes Conversations – Why Black Health Matters
This event creates an interactive space for honest dialogue around Black health and wellbeing in Scotland. Join us at the University of Glasgow on Tuesday, 24th February at the ARC Studio 2, from 12pm to 3pm for “Tea and Cupcakes Conversations – Why Black Health Matters.”
IRT events
Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026
Time: 12:00 - 15:00
Venue: ARC Studio 2
Category: Social events, Staff workshops and seminars
The 2022 Scottish Census shows that Glasgow City is now home to nearly 120,000 people from non-White ethnic groups, including over 20,000 African or Caribbean/Black residents. This calls for the need to address health inequalities facing Black communities is more urgent than ever. These disparities do not stem from ethnicity but from systemic barriers and racism embedded in society. Too often, Black people face unequal access to care, education, employment, and opportunity, resulting in cycles of poverty and persistent health challenges.
During this event, you’ll engage in interactive sessions centred on lived experiences. Hear directly from Black individuals whose stories illuminate the everyday impact of these inequalities—from higher rates of chronic illness and mental health challenges to alarming maternal health disparities. For example, Black women in the UK are nearly four times more likely to die in pregnancy than their white peers, even after accounting for socioeconomic status. African and Caribbean communities are more likely to live in Scotland’s most deprived areas, with higher risks of statutory homelessness and late-stage health diagnoses. In schools and workplaces, barriers to progression and achievement reinforce disadvantage.
But this conversation is not just about naming problems—it’s about galvanizing and empowering change. Together, we’ll explore what can be done at every level:
- Individual: How can you advocate for yourself and others in healthcare? What practical steps can you take to challenge bias or stigma?
- Community: How can communities build stronger support networks, amplify Black voices, and influence local change?
- Systemic: What responsibilities do public institutions have, and how can anti-racist policies, action plans, and frameworks drive long-lasting reform?
Whether you’re a student, healthcare professional, community member, or ally, this event is for everyone who cares about health justice and equity. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the issues, practical strategies for making a difference, and new connections with others committed to building a better, fairer Scotland for all.
Organiser: University of Glasgow Global Health and Environment Interdisciplinary Research Theme, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen