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Suffolk's African History Month (AHM) runs a series of cultural and artistic events across the county in October, including talks, concerts, theatre, films, readings, dance and children's activities.

Highlights include Billy Ocean, storyteller Jan Blake, the touring film Wondrous Oblivion, the play At The Gates Of Gaza, the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the US civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King, a look at Chinese integration in Jamaica and much more. Visit the African History website to download a programme.

Earlier in 2008, the Nia Project arranged a series of events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the arrival at Tilbury of the SS Empire Windrush from Jamaica. That event heralded the start of decades of immigration to Britain from the Caribbean and then the rest of the Commonwealth.

Provocation

Mixed Blessings is a photographic exhibition featuring 15 mixed heritage families from Suffolk and it'll be visiting Ipswich, Bury, Felixstowe, Eye, Sudbury, Lowestoft and Newmarket.

AHM'sΜύorganiser Del White said the title's about identity: "I'm just being a bit provocative there.

Mixed Blessings photo exhibition

"We wanted the title Mixed Blessings to provoke dialogue and discussion about how this phenomenon came about and about the journey of that generation on the Windrush.

"Some of them were well-received in this country; some were not. But it never stopped people being people and people came together. People, regardless of colour or creed, will find each other and will find love.

"The photographs centred around how the subjects see themselves as a family - really in celebration of the spirit of the family.

"According to the last census, we have more mixed heritage people than black or black ethnic minority people."

Fostering harmony

The Mixed Blessings exhibition ties in with Suffolk County Council's drive to find foster parents. The local authority has 735 "looked after children" who need homes.

Chinese-black model Tyson Beckford

17.5% of those are of black or ethnic origin. Of these 42% are black or black mixed heritage.

The county's policy of matching children with fosterers is stated as: "We always seek to match them with a family that can best meet their needs and this will include their ethnicity and cultural background.Μύ

"We know that it is very important for children to have a strong sense of identity and belonging and the Fostering and Adoption Services in Suffolk are using the Mixed Blessings campaign to highlight this need in the local black and minority ethnic communities"

Councillor Patricia O'Brien wants prospective parents to visit the exhibition to find out more: "Anyone from an African or Afro-Caribbean origin who is thinking about fostering or adopting should come along to one of these events. Staff will be on hand to discuss any questions."

Mixed history

African History Month was set up (originally as Black History Month) to promote a greater knowledge of culture from the continent.

"I would actually say that if a child is of mixed/dual heritage, for their own balance and healthy development, I would advocate that they're taught as much about both sides of their heritage and cultures which has brought them into existence," said Del White.

"I think getting that balance, you'll have a more focussed individual that will understand who and what they are. It shouldn't be one or the other - it should be both.

"When a child isn't given that some will negate one side because of the negative imagery they see around them.

"That is disturbing because they feel they're in no-man's land.

"[They'll think] the black people don't want us; the white people don't want us - we're another kind. The sense of being proud and bold is very important to your well-being."

Part of that mixed history in Suffolk actually goes back further in the west rather in Ipswich where most black and ethnic minority people live now. The first wave came in the 17th/18th Centuries as indentured labourers [people who have their passage paid for them, but are then tied to working contracts], long before the Windrush generation which lead to immigration to Ipswich.

Useful numbers:

Suffolk County Council: 0800 328 2148 (fostering), 0800 389 9417 (adoption)
African History Month/Nia Project: 01473 221715