BLACK History Month is to kick off in Colchester today as plans materialise for four weeks of activities, workshops, and school visits throughout the month of October.

The event aims to celebrate the achievements of black people in the UK, and will start in Colchester’s libraries tomorrow where staff will put up displays and promote literary works from black authors.

On Monday, Black History Month will come to Colchester city centre as it sets up camp at the One Colchester Community Hub in Long Wyre Street.

On Thursday, October 6, the group will arrive at Colchester Institute for Black History Month seminars and next Saturday a community celebration event will be taking place at Firstsite Museum in the High Street.

Black History Month first started in Britain in 1987, with different towns and cities across the country marking in different ways the contributions which black people have made towards national culture.

In charge of organising much of the event is Lawrence Walker, chairman of Black History Month Colchester.

The theme for Black History Month Colchester is safeguarding and mental health, specifically amongst young people, with both primary and secondary schools looking to promote the campaign over the coming weeks.

Further information can be found via info@bhmcolchester.co.uk.