ALLFORWARD

A proposed Black Futures Festival for Salford · October 2026

ALLFORWARD

CELEBRATING BLACK EXCELLENCE.
CREATING WHAT COMES NEXT.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER.

Four Fridays. One connected journey. Come for the culture, build something useful and leave with a real next step.

AttendBuildPartner

Planned for October 2026 in Salford. Dates, venues and contributors are subject to final University, funding and partner approval.

New Adelphi, University of Salford · Photo: Marnanel, CC BY 4.0

PROPOSED DELIVERY CIRCLE · SUBJECT TO WRITTEN APPROVAL

01

CELEBRATE

Black culture, stories and excellence—seen properly and shared proudly.

02

CREATE

Bring real problems. Build useful ideas with people who want to make progress.

03

MOVE

Turn connections into skills, work, business opportunities and clear next steps.

The journey

WHAT HAPPENS
EACH FRIDAY

Every day has one job. Each day prepares people for the next one.

019 OCT 2026 · PROPOSED

CELEBRATE

Come together. Be seen. Share your story.

Black culture, music, performance, stories and a warm opening to the month.

Register interest →
0216 OCT 2026 · PROPOSED

CREATE

Bring a problem. Build a possible answer.

Students, creators and businesses begin the Forward Build Lab and make useful ideas.

Join the Build Lab →
0323 OCT 2026 · PROPOSED

CONNECT

Meet people. Test ideas. Build relationships.

Food, enterprise, a community marketplace, networking and public testing.

Apply to take part →
0430 OCT 2026 · PROPOSED

PROGRESS

Turn learning into work, business and paid progress.

Careers, practical AI, the Build Lab showcase and clear next steps after October.

Register interest →

For students

YOUR FORWARD PASS

Attend. Build. Work. Perform. Leave with something useful.

Students can follow the full four-Friday journey, apply to solve a business challenge, or apply for clearly advertised paid event roles. General attendance is not paid work. Any job, commission, bursary or pilot will have separate written terms before it begins.

Get your Forward Pass

Forward Build Lab · Proposed

REAL PROBLEMS.
USEFUL ANSWERS.

Local businesses submit one clear problem. Selected students and builders form small teams, make a first solution, test it with real people and present it on the final Friday.

  1. A business submits one problem.
  2. Eight suitable challenges are selected.
  3. Teams build and test possible answers.
  4. A business or sponsor may fund a separate paid pilot.
Submit a challengeJoin a solution team

Selection is not guaranteed. Builders keep agreed portfolio rights. Commercial implementation requires a separate paid agreement.

Take part

CHOOSE YOUR
WAY FORWARD

01

Attend

Choose one Friday or follow all four.

02

Build

Join a team solving a real business problem.

03

Submit a challenge

Bring one clear business problem.

04

Trade or perform

Apply for a food, market or creative place.

05

Sponsor or partner

Help fund access, people and practical outcomes.

University of Salford Business School students working together
University of Salford Press Office, CC BY 2.0

Black-led. Open to all.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The festival centres Black culture, achievement and innovation. Students, alumni, businesses, community groups, employers and allies who respect that purpose are welcome to register interest.

Move together · Proposed

A LITTLE MOVEMENT.
A LOT MORE CONNECTION.

RESET
A short stretch during CREATE.

WALK OR RUN
An easy community route before CONNECT.

FIVE-A-SIDE
A friendly football session before PROGRESS.

Each activity only runs with a confirmed owner, safety plan, accessible alternative and funding.

Sponsors and partners

HELP GOOD IDEAS
MOVE FORWARD.

Fund student access, paid roles, the Build Lab, accessibility, professional media or a practical business pilot. Every benefit and outcome is agreed in writing. Sponsors do not receive student data or control judging and editorial decisions.

Request the partner pack

Clear answers

GOOD TO KNOW

Is the festival only for Black attendees?

No. It centres Black culture and progress while welcoming respectful people from every background.

Must I attend all four Fridays?

No. You may register for one day. Build Lab participants should be available for the full journey.

Are student places free?

Free student access is the goal. Final ticket and support arrangements will be confirmed before booking opens.

Will students be paid?

Students hired for operational or creative work will receive written paid terms. General attendance and competition participation are different from employment.

Is the University of Salford venue confirmed?

Not yet. Salford is the proposed setting. Registered applicants will receive confirmed venue and access information first.

THERE IS MORE THAN
ONE WAY FORWARD.

Choose the route that fits you. We will send the right next step.

Choose your route