Gala marks 40 years of African and Caribbean group

Actor Richard Blackwood will host the 40th anniversary gala

A Kent-based African and Caribbean society is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a charity gala.

Medway African & Caribbean Association (Maca) promotes diversity through its education and cultural programmes and community outreach.

Presenter and actor Richard Blackwood will present the gala at the Rochester Corn Exchange on Saturday.

Carol Stewart, the group's chairperson, said the event was "not just a celebration of our past, but a beacon of hope and unity for our community".

The society was started in 1984 in "humble beginnings", said Ms Stewart.

"We have so much to be proud of," she added. "We have made some remarkable achievements over the past 40 years, and we have so much more to do."

The gala will see a showcase of performances by young people depicting the evolution of African dance and hip hop over the past 40 years.

There will also be a display of textiles that "narrates the intertwined stories of Africa and the Caribbean".

Ms Stewart said: "It’s important for us to have positive role models for our young people in particular.

"Richard has previously visited Medway some years ago to open a Youth Centre that used to be in Rochester, so we are really pleased to be welcoming him back here again.

"We have an exciting year of celebrations ahead."