Soul singer Jaki Graham, who topped US charts in the 90s, will perform at an awards show celebrating black youth.

The ceremony will be hosted by Medway African and Caribbean Association (MACA) and held at Kings School in Rochester.

The annual award show will take place on Saturday, October 28, from 7pm to 10pm.

MACA chairman Carol Stewart said: “The awards recognise the achievements of Young people of African and Caribbean origin who have made achievements in arts, education, sport and community projects.

“We also celebrate any young person of any background who champions diversity or is an inspiration to other young people.”

The event has been held for the past 16 years and has seen more than 300 awards handed out.

She continued: “Very often and particularly young people of African and Caribbean heritage, don't get recognised for the positive things they have done – only getting noticed when something bad happens. There is so much negativity in the news about young people.

“We introduced the diversity awards as we live in a world where sadly there are some people who don't see the value in people of different backgrounds.

“The diversity awards recognises those who have or continue to make a difference to making this world a better place.”

Those who fit the criteria and who have made contributions to Kent can be nominated for the Young Black Achievers, Diversity, and Windrush awards.

Nominations close on Friday September 22 and winners will be chosen by a panel of MACA and independent members.

This year there will also be special guest headliner.

“We are excited to have one of the UK's leading soul singers Jaki Graham, performing some of her greatest hits,” Carol said.

Tickets to the event cost £8 and can be bought on the MACA website here.

Graham shot to fame in the mid-eighties with a number of songs which reached the UK top 20.

Her version of Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody’ became an instant hit in 1994 and charted number one in US Billboard dance club songs.