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In the past Staffordshire has gone all out to celebrate Black History Month. There have been carnivals, art exhibitions and performances, to name a few. This year it has been distinctly smaller.

What is Black History Month?

Well, Carter G Woodson, an editor at the American publication The Journal of Negro History, began the tradition when he created African Caribbean celebrations in the USA.听 From here the UK and Canada took the idea on and it鈥檚 now a world wide celebration.

Staffordshire - What happens here?

In the past throughout October, the Youth Club at NORSACA (North Staffordshire Afro-Caribbean Association*) in Hanley have organised a number of events for the people to get involved in, to help them develop a better understanding and awareness of their heritage.

Youngsters went on a 听trip to the Slavery Museum in Liverpool and had a discussion with equality officer Hughie Lawrence on culture identity and history.

They also watched a film called 'Black and White' - which showed Birmingham in the 1940s and what it was like living there as a black person - and interviewed a man of Rastafarian faith.

University

In addition to the events at NORSACA, Staffordshire University also gets involved with听 Black History Month.

The African-Caribbean Society in partnership with the Students' Union have annually held a celebration event including a number of diverse live artistic and cultural performances including Contemporary Dance, Jazz and Hip-Hop singers, cultural African dance, and Bangra dance, among many other highlights.

The events aim to celebrate the sixty six nationalities and cultures that are represented at the Uni and allows students to showcase their talents and skills.

Black history in Staffordshire was also celebrated at an annual event organised by Staffordshire County Council鈥檚 Black Workers Support Group.

The event took place at Stafford鈥檚 White Eagle Club in Riverway and included poetry, speeches and gospel music performances. People were also treated to a Caribbean buffet.