Roi Kwabena is a Birmingham-based cultural activist

Roi Kwabena is a Birmingham-based cultural activist. After involvement in politics and the arts in Trinidad, his country of birth, he came to Britain in 1985. Trinidad is an island where people of Amerindian, Spanish, African, Indian and British origin contribute to a diverse culture. A poet, musician, storyteller, historian and publisher, he has conducted extensive research into the history of Africa investigating the development of the civilisation of Kush in present day Sudan.

In Birmingham, Roi published a book about the Caribbean for use in schools. He felt that people of Caribbean origin were losing a sense of their historical and cultural origins. "Black history is part of the greater pursuit of British history", he argues. Roi has been been active in increasing the profile of the history of people from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean locally and developed the programme for Birmingham's successful celebration of Black History Month in October 2000. He believes there is potential for increasing the awareness and visibility of black cultural events which connects with the city's quest to be recognised as an international venue for culture and the arts.

Originally published in the Millennibrum Supplement, "Birmingham and the Wider World", The Birmingham Post, Wednesday December 27 2000