AFTER a successful Black History Month ideas are already beginning to gather pace for next year's event in Southampton.

Co-organisers Don John and Jayanti Shah passed over the reins of organising the event to the duo who will be masterminding the project for 2015.

Jen Campbell and Lou Taylor have already thought about what they want to do inspire people from ethnic backgrounds to do something for their home town.

Jen has high hopes that something will be done to promote the lives of women of black origin who have played a part across the south.

She said it had been an idea that had been developing for some time.

She said: “I know it's something that people are keen to see and that's why we will give it some focus next year.

“There's always stuff that's going to be of interest that we would like to explore and this is one of them.

“At the launch event the older generation of the Afro-Caribbean women is really well represented.

“They're retirees now and they've got stories to tell.”

Meanwhile Lou said he would like to give some focus to the importance of Africa throughout history.

He said: “For me personally I would like to shine the spot light on Africa and the positive side of the continent.

“There have been too many negative images coming out of the continent recently, which is understandable, but there are some very positive things that are going on in Africa.

“I would like to focus on the historical trading centres in Africa with links all across the world. That would be my personal preference.”

Don and Jay started up the project in 2004 and turned it into a major event for Southampton over the past decade.

This year saw events across the city celebrating the lives of people from African and West Indian communities who have contributed to Southampton's society.

Further details about this year's event will be announced soon.