Bringing the Black Businesses, Art and Music (BBAM) Festival back to Southampton this year, after a hugely successful initial event in 2023 is a huge honour.

The BBAM Festival is led by The United Voice of African Associations (TUVAA), which represents the city’s African, Caribbean and Black British communities.

After a brilliant first outing last year, BBAM will be bigger and better this year, with events and immersive experiences for the whole family. The festival is free and takes place across a number of indoor and outdoor venues on Saturday 28th September. The fun starts at 11am in Guildhall Square and continues across O2 Guildhall, John Hansard Gallery and MAST Mayflower Studios.

The day will be packed with fun and activities as well as cultural gems including poetry performances, film screenings, interactive workshops and more. It’s all about celebrating our vibrant mix of cultures.

The end of September is a great time for the BBAM Festival, just ahead of Black History Month, which kicks off four weeks of rich and varied cultural events around the city celebrating black communities and culture in Southampton.

As Chairman of TUVAA, I am honoured to lead the team that is the powerhouse behind the festival. For us, it’s about creating a space where our community can come together, highlight their talents and inspire the next generation of artists and business leaders.

Our theme for this year is ‘Journey through Africa and the Caribbean Islands’ and visitors are invited to experience something extraordinary and enjoy all we have to offer.

In my work, I help communities thrive and embrace a sense of place, seeking out opportunities for people to learn about their neighbours and understand each other better. BBAM is the embodiment of this ethos, celebrating diversity, having fun and helping support our amazing black talents and businesses while enjoying delicious African and Caribbean food.

We have over 40 acts lined up including singers, dancers, bands, live painting, poets and drumming. And don’t miss the many and varied businesses showcasing their products and services.

We couldn’t put on the festival without the generosity and energy of our sponsors, including Southampton Forward, who work with partners on cultural and creative projects in the city. I’m delighted to say that I was one of the first people to be nominated as a Community Legend for their City Reflections display which is coming up early next year.

From the 15th to the 23rd of February 2025, the often-hidden people in our communities who make a difference, in big and small ways, will be celebrated in an innovative light festival.

Sponsored by Westquay, City Reflections will celebrate local people, sharing the stories, culture and heritage of Southampton’s communities, highlighting that people are the real fabric of the city and are what make Southampton special.

In a spectacle that will need to be seen to be believed, hundreds of images and video clips featuring local people will be projected onto walls and buildings to shine a light on the difference made by Sotonians to their city.

I’m highly honoured that I will be among these, and I really hope that anyone reading this who would like to nominate someone who makes city life brighter will visit the Southampton Forward website and share their details. I am also happy to say we are hosting Southampton Forward at BBAM who will be at the entrance to the Guildhall on the day of the festival for people to nominate in person.

We all know that community is the foundation to success, and this is a way of celebrating that. The results are set to be breathtaking.