THE North West Migrants Forum is proud to present its annual Black History Summit, an event that uplifts, educates and celebrates the diverse histories and vibrant futures of our communities.
The Black History Summit is an element of the North West Migrants Forum’s wider ‘Black Heritage NI: The Hidden History Project’, made possible following the granting of £534,189 by the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund.
This year we are thrilled to announce a special partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, spotlighting innovation and creativity through arts, culture and education between Kenya and the UK.
What’s New?
Alongside our signature educational and dialogue programming, the 2025 Summit will showcase a powerful cross-cultural experience. As part of the UK/Kenya Season, we are bringing two outstanding guest musicians to the stage:
Nelson Ngotiek – Maasai Traditional Folk Singer & Cultural Custodian
Nelson Ngotiek is a respected Maasai traditional folk singer from Kenya, known for his powerful voice, deep-rooted storytelling and dedication to preserving the rich musical heritage of the Maasai community. His performances are a vibrant expression of identity, history and cultural pride, passed down through generations.
Nelson’s work blends traditional chants, rhythms and ceremonial melodies that reflect the values, struggles and spiritual life of his people. Through his artistry, he brings global audiences closer to the beauty and depth of Maasai traditions.
Ritchie Remo – Irish Country Music Singer & Folk Artist
Ritchie Remo is a celebrated Irish country music singer and traditional folk artist whose heartfelt performances and storytelling have earned him fans across Ireland, the UK, and beyond. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Ritchie is also widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest fiddle players, captivating audiences with his electric energy, technical brilliance and magnetic stage presence.
His music celebrates the depth of Irish heritage while embracing modern creative expression, blending tradition and innovation in a style that is uniquely his own.
Coming together for the first time, Ritchie Remo and Nelson Ngotiek will debut a pioneering musical collaboration at the North West Migrants Forum’s Black History Summit on October 24.
Their partnership, sparked during a creative exchange in Kenya, brings together the soulful sounds of Irish country and folk music with the vibrant tradition of Maasai folk singing.
This historic performance introduces Northern Irish audiences to a powerful fusion of two distinct cultural expressions, celebrating shared stories, rhythms and heritage.
This performance is part of the UK/Kenya Season, aligning with its mission to spark creativity and build cultural bridges between the two nations through arts, music and education.
Event Details
Event: Black History Summit 2025
Host: North West Migrants Forum
Special Feature: British Council UK/Kenya Season Collaboration
Date: October 24 2025
Time: 2pm to 6pm
Location: Ulster University Magee campus
Admission: Free but registration is required: https://bit.ly/nwmfsummit2025
Why Attend?
Celebrate Black history, resilience and cultural excellence.
Experience live music, storytelling, education and creative performances.
Connect with educators, artists and changemakers from across sectors.
Immerse yourself in a global celebration of artistic brilliance and cultural synergy between Northern Ireland and Kenya.
Come celebrate our shared histories, and be inspired by a future built on collaboration, innovation and community power.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund www.heritagefund.org.uk
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Conor Sharkey, Media and Communications Officer at North West Migrants Forum. Via email: c.sharkey@nwmf.org.uk or by phone: 02871 362184 or 07842445825.
