‘KNOWLEDGE is power’ - that’s the theme of this year’s Black History Month.

And with four weeks of events to bring you up to speed there will be no excuse to not being better informed by November.

The launch party at Solent University saw keynote speaker Miranda Lowe take to the stage with an inspiring talk on her work.

The principal curator at the Natural History Museum in London, STEM ambassador and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology spoke to a packed audience about her achievements, which include being finalist in the national diversity awards.

One of the organisers of Black History month, Jen Campbell, said: “It’s been so great to have her speak today - she really is fantastic.”

Now the stage is set for the next official event, which will see 90s dance music legend and former M People vocalist Heather Small come to the Concorde Club in Eastleigh on October 6.

British rapper Akala, Andrew Roachford and Shalamar, along with the London African Gospel Choir make up the rest of the impressive musical line-up while celebrated writer Lemn Sissay MBE brings his latest work to the Nuffield on October 19.

There will be a special event to mark the centenary of the sinking of SS Mendi at the Mayor’s Parlour on October 12 while an East V West fashion show at Southampton University Students Union brings the month to a close with what is set to be spectacular show on October 29.

Coordinator Lou Taylor said: “The people and organisations of Southampton have always embraced Black History Month and this year is no exception.

“The range and quality of events being staged in the city this October is outstanding, from debates through to film and theatre. I’m looking forward to attending as many possible.”

Apart from music, fashion and art there is also a debate on stop and search policies at Southampton University on October 26 and al lecture on the city’s maritime heritage on October 19,

WHAT’S ON

October 6: Heather Small Concorde Club, Eastleigh - 9pm

October 12: SS Mendi Presentation, The Mayors Parlour -11am

October 14: Hidden Figures, Winchester Science Centre - 5.20pm

October 14: Selma, Winchester Science Centre - 8pm

October 15: The Princess and the Frog Winchester Science Centre - 9am

October 15: Love Soul Choir, West Quay, noon - 12.30pm & 1pm

October 19: BHM Karaoke in the Stags’ Headon Campus. University Road - 8.30pm

October 19: Lemn Sissay: Something Dark,Nuffield Theatre, University Road - 7.30pm

October 22: London African Gospel Choir, Engine Rooms - 7pm

October 23: Raising Lazarus by Raising Lazarus by Kat Francois, Nuffield Theatre, University Road - 7.30pm

October 27: Akala (LIVE), Engine Rooms - 7pm

October 26: Shalamar, Concorde Club, Eastleigh, - 9pm

October 26: The Big Debate – Stop and Search University Road, - time to be confirmed

October 27: Andrew Roachford The Brook, Portswood Road - 8pm

October 29: East vs West Fashion Show SUSU’s East African Society. University Road - time to be confirmed