Dartford Celebrates Black History Month with Inspiring Community Event

The Dartford community came together on Wednesday 1st October at the Temple Hill Community Centre to mark Black History Month with an evening of powerful performances, inspiring talks, and community spirit around the theme of “Standing Firm in Pride and Power”

The celebration was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council. The event shone a spotlight on the positive contributions made by the Black community in Britain, both past and present.

The evening opened with a moving one-man performance by actor O’Shea Lamar, who brought to life the story of a Jamaican RAF pilot during World War II, exploring the challenges he faced as a Black man serving his country.

The event featured compelling speeches from inspirational figures such as Cedi Fredrick Chair of the NHS and Medway Integrated Care Board, Karin Muya Professional Footballer, Akua Agyepong Community Champion, and Michelle Bramble, Chair of Cohesion Plus and The North Kent Caribbean Network. The speakers shared personal stories of identity, pride, and perseverance — offering insights into how they continue to stand firm in their own power while navigating professional and cultural spaces.

Civic guests in attendance included Kelvin Holford, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Cllr Peter Whapshott, Mayor of Dartford, and Cllr Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council, who each expressed their pride in supporting the event.

To close the programme, Ebonie G captivated the audience with a moving performance of an original song. Her lyrics echoed the spirit of this year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Pride and Power”, leaving the audience inspired and energised — a fitting end to an evening of celebrating Black History Month,

Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, also addressed the audience, reminding everyone that Black History is British History and that symbols like the Union Flag and the Cross of St George belong to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or faith.