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UNESCO Day for Remembering the Transatlantic Slave Trade & Abolition

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Please note that this event has already occured.

Key information

Date: Monday 23 August 2021

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Cost: Free

The Mayor of London, invited you to the fourth annual event that City hall has held, to commemorate the UNESCO International Day for Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition. The memorial provided an inclusive space for all people to remember the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, reflect on its legacy, and honour those freedom fighters who fought for its abolition.

This was an online event, to remember and honour the Transatlantic Slave Trade victims.

Our speakers this year focussed on the theme of 'Justice and Restoration'. You can read our FAQ for this event and watch the event below.

Our programme:

Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan

Mayor of London

Image of Debbie Weekes-Bernard

Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard

Deputy Mayor for Communities & Social Justice

Image of Prof. Sir Hilary Becklesf

Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles

Vice-Chancellor of the University of West Indies

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Gabriela Ramos

Asst. Director-General of Social & Human Sciences at UNESCO

Image of Yvonne Field

Yvonne Field

Founder and CEO of The Ubele Initiative

Image of Jean Francois Manicom

Jean-françois Manicom

Lead Curator of Transatlantic Slavery & Legacies

More on our special guests:

  • Our 2021 Keynote Speaker was Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of West Indies (UWI), a distinguished academic and a United Nations committee.
  • Jean-françois Manicom is the lead Curator for the Transatlantic Slavery & Legacies, he's most notable for the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool.
  • Chineke! Orchestra performed. They are an orchestra of Black and ethnically diverse musicians who champion and celebrates diversity in classical music. They have performed at Royal Albert Hall, supported by BBC, Association of British Orchestras, Royal Philharmonic Society & Arts Council England.
  • We also had breathtaking poetry from Nairobi Thompson, affirmation readings by the London Youth Assembly, musical performances, and an official libation opening ceremony.

Supported by

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Community Advisory Group

Black Cultural Archives has provided consultation services for this event.

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Windrush Foundation

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Wanda Nation

Slavery Remembrance logo

Slavery Remembrance

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