FOR ten years it has been celebrating the history of black people in Southampton.

And once again Black History Month returns this week to celebrate the part that black people have played in the history of the city.

Throughout October the city will be host to a range of events celebrating those people from black ethnic communities who have transformed the lives of others in Hampshire.

From music and dance to an exhibition chronicling the lives of black people in Southampton, the launch of the project takes place on Wednesday October 1 at the Hub City College in St Mary’s Street.

Baron Herman Ouseley, former chairman of the Commission for Race Equality and presently chairman of anti-racism campaign Kick it Out, will be the keynote speaker.

Knighted in 1997 for his services to local government and community relations he has fought institutional racism in organisations and is an advocate on behalf of individuals from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds.

He will be speaking about the impact of black history and what does it signify for the city and society of Southampton.

Jazz musicians from Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and a choir from St George Catholic College will also be performing gospel music.

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

The event runs from 10am to 2pm with Baron Ouseley and guests speaking from 11am.

Co-ordinator Don John said it will celebrate the lives of all those who have played their part in the history of the city.

Don said: “The history of black people is part of the history of the UK.

We’ve done our own investigations in into when black people came to this country and we can see a lot of involvement of black people in culture.

“It is an essential part bearing in mind the role that the UK has had in the world.

“Culturally black people have paid a huge part in the history of the UK and have been represented in all manner of things, art, music, sport.

Black History Month was started by Carter G Woodson in America in 1926 and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.

It wasn’t until 2005 that Black History Month began in Southampton and for the past ten years it has been organised and set up by Don John and Jayanti “Jay” Shah.

Over the years it has seen a number of prominent people from Southampton involved in the project including singer Craig David.

It has also celebrated key events in the history of the city including the arrival of immigrants on board the Empire Windrush.

Don added: “Part of the idea is to share the history of black people with those who don’t know.

“But equally the role of black people is undervalued and it is to show to young people that we have made big contributions in all sorts of ways, to say to them that people like you have done something worthwhile.”

Some of the highlights for this year’s month of events include an amateur production of the muchloved pro-equality musical Hairspray at The Hub Theatre in Chapel Road.

Black musicians Joan Armatrading and Soul II Soul are appearing at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh while Southampton Solent University is hosting a photography exhibition called Moments in Black and White.

For Don the highlight of the month will be the launch to celebrate ten years of Black History Month in Southampton.

He said: “Baron Ouseley is an important figure, the fact that he’s here for the tenth anniversary is quite important for us and we’re going to be celebrating everything that we have done over the last ten years.”

Organisers take a back seat

Daily Echo:

AFTER ten years co-ordinating Black History Month Don John and Jay Shah will be taking a back seat in the organisation of the event.

In the decade since the event has highlighted the debt people owe towards black communities in Southampton.

Both men have fought together over the past 40 years to fight racism in the city when Don worked for the city council as a racial equality officer with Jay as a volunteer.

Don, from Highfield, began Black History Month to promote the history of black people and Jay got involved a year later and since then it has taken on a life of its own.

Don said: “None of it could have happened without both of us being involved. I may do the ground work but Jay has the office skills.”

Jay said why they will be stepping down from getting involved predominantly.

He said: “Black History Month has got its own momentum. People are using the Black History logo to promote events. We will still be involved but people will be organising their own events for the month.”

Don added: “It needs to stand on it own legs. People have bought into it but if we keep managing it then we’re never going to let it go.”

Over the years prominent people from a diverse range of backgrounds have taken part in Black History Month propelling its status in the city.

Prominent black people from Southampton such as rapper Craig David, jazz musician Joe Harriott and reggae star Bob Marley have all been honoured over the years.

What's On In Southampton

• Thursday September 25 – Sunday October 12: Moments in Black & White – a photographic exhibition showing a selection of images that relate to the “Black Experience” in Southampton.

Sir James Matthews Building, Southampton Solent University, Above Bar Street.

• Saturday October 11, 7pm: Paint and Poetry. African Caribbean Society, Bridge Bar, Building 42, SUSU Building, University Road. Visit africancaribbeansociety.com/myacs/southamptonacs/

• Saturday October 11, 8pm. Grammy award-winning African singer Dobet Gnahore. Turner Sims, Salisbury Road

• Saturday, October 18, 8pm. MAKA Foundation 35th anniversary concert. The Cellar, West Marlands Road

• Wednesday October 15 – Saturday October 18, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm). Hairspray: The Musical. The Hub Theatre, City College, Chapel Road, Southampton

•n Saturday October 18 – Sunday October 19, 10am to 4pm. Hampshire Constabulary Black History Month Celebration – an open invitation to the force’s Southampton Support and Training Headquarters in Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley.

• Saturday October 18, 2pm . Hanging out with Tutankhamun – a talk by Egyptologist Charlotte Booth looking at the day-to-day life of the Boy King. Southampton Ancient Egypt Society, Oasis Academy, Lords Hill. Visit southamptonancientegyptsociety.co.uk

• Sunday October 19, 12pm to 12:30pm; 1pm to 1:30pm. Love Soul Choir. West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton.

• Friday October 24, 9.30pm. Soul II Soul Live. The Concorde Club Eastleigh

• Saturday October 25, 5.30pm to 9pm. Inspiration Time. The Victory Centre, Portswood Road

• Thursday October 30, 6.30pm. Professor Alvin Thompson speaks about his most recent book “Confronting Slavery”. Diverse Heritage and Cultural Association, Southampton University, Avenue Campus, Lecture Room C

• Friday October 31, 9pm SOLD OUT. Joan Armatrading live. The Concorde Club Eastleigh.

• Voice FM During October every Tuesday Voice FM will provide information about Black History Month, hosted by Don John and Jim Baker. 6pm to 8pm – Soul Train Black History specials;  8pm to 9pm – Night Moves Black History reggae