A month-long celebration of the contribution black communities have paid to Southampton begins today with a launch event in the city centre.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather throughout the day at the Hub City College in St Mary’s Street to mark the start of Black History Month with a riot of sound.

For the launch of the 10th annual Black History Month in Southampton Baron Herman Ouseley, chairman of anti-racism initiative Kick it Out, will be the keynote speaker.

He will take to the stage at the project’s launch in St Mary Street at about 11am today to speak about the impact of Black History Month and what it signifies for the city.

The event runs from 10am to 2pm with jazz musicians from Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and a choir from St George Catholic College also performing.

Singer Amy Holloway will be performing and there will be a fashion show towards the end of the day.

Co-ordinator Don John said: “We want as many people as possible to take the opportunity to come along if they have the time to celebrate with us.

“Baron Ouseley doesn’t come here that often so you should come down to hear him speak.”

This will be the last year that Don and his colleague Jay Shah will have worked together to promote Black History Month before handing over the baton to a new co-ordinator.