A group of five women known as the Black Collective is to hold a celebration of African culture on Saturday, May 21.

The first African Rhythm Black Expo and Fashion Show Extravaganza is to be held at the Pembroke Community Club.

The event, to be held under the patronage of Leonard Teye-Botchway, Honorary Consul of Ghana in Bermuda and his wife, will feature an outdoor vendors market from 2pm to 5.30pm, and a fashion show from 6pm to 8pm.

LaVerne Furbert, one of the organisers, said the group sprang from a book sale, “Selling our Stories”, that she organised in December in tandem with Peggy Burns and Maxine Esdaille.

The success of that gathering had inspired the group to promote more of the unique African culture in Bermuda, Ms Furbert said.

“Initially we talked about having an event where blacks could not only share their stories, but also their art and it evolved into the Black Expo and Fashion Show,” she said. “Later on Lynelle Furbert and Ashanti Caesar joined us.”

All the fashions modelled have been crafted in Ghana and designed by Lynelle Furbert, who also has a home in Ghana.

Vendors have been invited to exhibit and sell their wares, including books written by Bermudian authors, African garments and Bermuda-made drinks featuring seasonally foraged edibles that are native to the island.

Fashion Show ticket holders will be treated to distinctive West African music, African hors d’oeuvres, and African wines.

As well as songs by Ashanti Caesar, the event will include a performance by an African dance troupe.

Tickets, which cost $75, are available at 27th Century Boutique, All Things Sassy in the Bermudian Arcade, Sidekicks in the Washington Mall, or by calling 335-8232 or 297-1624.

The Black Collective thanked its sponsors, Bermuda Healthcare Services, Patrick Tannock, Bermuda International Eye Institute Ltd, Bermuda Sanitation & Engineering Ltd, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Island Construction Ltd, Philip Butterfield, the Bermuda Industrial Union and Gosling Brothers Limited.