Black history matters more than ever, says group

A community group said it was more important than ever to highlight the "achievement and the contribution of people who have migrated" during Black History Month (BHM).

October is BHM in the UK, an event that has been celebrated nationwide since 1987.

BME Suffolk Support Group, a non-profit organisation based in Ipswich, plans to mark the month with a day of music, food and culture on Saturday 31 October, in collaboration with the University of Suffolk.

Funmilayo Akinriboya, the group's project manager, said: "The only way we can see change is when people who are not affected understand the struggle of people who are affected... and that's the aim, to educate and put the message out there.

"Somebody has to create the platform because if we don't, then no-one is going to do it."

Pearl Gordon, a volunteer at BME Suffolk Support Group, said BHM was about "those that were raised in Africa, those that were transported from Africa and were based in the Caribbean and all over the world, the diaspora, wherever they may be".

"We can celebrate all the good things about our culture and get to a point where we're celebrating black history every single day, not just for a month and not just for a day," she added.

The organisation said this year's BHM was focused on stories about communities and resources were available for schools and other community groups.

The free event on the 31 October will be held at the University of Suffolk's waterfront building in Ipswich and will include community stalls, food from different cultures and countries and music.

India Atkinson, from the university, said: "It's really important that these events and activities are also led by the community so that we can work collaboratively with them."

Ipswich-based Karibu African Support Group will also host a free event on 24 October at Suffolk New College as part of BHM celebrations, which it said would "explore the richness of African cultures".

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