Award-winning rapper Nate Ethan-Watson will be among contributors to a busy programme of Black History Month events taking place across Derry in October.

Known for his lyrical honesty and emotionally driven performances, transgender musician Ethan-Watson will perform at an ‘Honouring Our Communities’ evening in Stormont on October 23.

It is one of a list of events being organised by the North West Migrants Forum as part of Black History Month.

Traditionally the Forum holds several small local events in October prior to its flagship Black History Summit showcase at the end of the month.

But this year the charity is casting its net wider with educational discussions, community conversations, celebration and comedy.

On October 22 British political activist and journalist Femi Oluwole will be among the speakers at a conference on online hate in Derry’s Guildhall.

Alongside him will be Chief Commissioner of the NI Human Rights Commission Alyson Kilpatrick, Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism Dr Ebun Joseph and the Belfast Telegraph’s Crime Correspondent Allison Morris.

Outspoken anti-Brexit campaigner Femi Oluwole will address an audience in Derry’s Guildhall on October 22.

On October 24 a historical and cultural tour of the city followed by an informal discussion in North West Migrants Forum’s Intercultural Café.

Aynaz Zarif is Manager of the North West Migrants Forum’s ‘Black Heritage in NI: Hidden History’ project. She said October was shaping up to be a fascinating exploration of Black heritage, education, leadership, racial justice, belonging and community.

Ms Zarif said: “When we sat down to discuss how we wanted to mark Black History Month 2026, we agreed there needed to be something for everyone.

“And we feel we have achieved that through our programme of workshops, conferences, discussions, celebrations and even a comedy show.

“What we also want to do though is use this Black History Month to cement links with other like-minded organisations. That is why, for example, we are supporting our allies in All Nations Ministries with their World Cultural Day celebrations on October 9 and Saturday 10.

Continuing Ms Zarif said: “I want to thank everyone who has agreed to participate in our events so far. Your voices and knowledge will add significantly to what is going to be an absorbing series of events.

“I would also encourage anyone with an interest in current affairs, social justice and critical discussion to go to our website, have a look at the programme and get registered.

“It is going to be a busy few weeks but we are really looking forward to welcoming people to venues across Derry and Belfast.”

You will find the full Black History Month programme, including registration, here: https://nwmf.org.uk/black-history-month/

Earlier this year, the North West Migrants Forum launched The People’s Café, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. The café is designed as ‘a place where people seeking asylum, those granted international protection, migrant and diaspora communities and those from racialised minoritised backgrounds can come together and engage with one another and the broader community’.