Why We Need a Memorial for Victims of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the Importance of Community Involvement

In the heart of East London, a powerful movement is underway to honour the victims of the Atlantic Slave Trade and celebrate the resilience of Black cultural heritage. In collaboration with the Newham African and Caribbean Heritage Reference Group (NACHRG), Museum X is at the forefront of this initiative, demonstrating why community involvement is crucial in creating a meaningful memorial.

In 2026, London will welcome a groundbreaking memorial that acknowledges one of the darkest chapters in its history—the transatlantic slave trade. Renamed the ‘Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery’, titled The Wake by Khaleb Brooks, will be a seven-metre-high bronze cowrie shell installed at West India Quay. This site, in the heart of London’s Docklands, was once a bustling centre of Britain's sugar trade—an industry deeply intertwined with the exploitation of enslaved African people.

Cowrie shells, historically used as currency in the slave trade, will be reclaimed in this memorial as a powerful symbol of resilience and reflection. The choice of the cowrie shell also reflects a deeper cultural and spiritual significance, transforming a once-painful symbol into one of healing and acknowledgement.

The Lasting Impact of the Sugar Trade and Atlantic Slave Trade in East London

East London’s history is inextricably linked to the sugar trade, which played a pivotal role in the industrialisation of Britain. Much of this wealth, however, was built on the backs of enslaved Africans, transported across the Atlantic in brutal conditions to work on plantations. The wealth accumulated from this trade fuelled the growth of London and its industries but at an immense human cost. This legacy underscores the importance of placing the memorial in West India Quay, a location steeped in this history.

As our work on To Whom Does This Belong? shows, the stories of those who suffered, toiled, and resisted in the face of oppression deserve to be told, remembered, and commemorated. This is why the GLA’s Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery is so significant—it provides a permanent space to honour the memories of those impacted by this tragic period in history.

The legacy of the sugar and slave trades has left a profound and lasting impact on the African Caribbean community in Britain and in the Caribbean, influencing generations through economic exploitation and cultural erasure. Recent struggles for recognition, justice, and equality via reparations have met with limited success. 

Melissa Bennett from the Greater London Authority (GLA) emphasised, “This memorial will serve as a reminder of the painful history of transatlantic slavery, but also as a beacon of hope and resilience for future generations. The community must have a say in how we shape this important piece of our city’s landscape.”

Why Community Involvement is Key to Shaping the Memorial

A memorial of this scale and significance must be more than a symbolic gesture. It must reflect the voices and experiences of those who continue to feel the legacy of slavery in their communities today. That’s why community involvement has been central to the design and selection process for this memorial.

In July 2024, Museum X, in partnership with the Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group (NACHRG), held a community conversation titled GLA Newham Community Conversations: Shaping the Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery. This event, held in Forest Gate, brought together local residents, historians, activists, and educators to discuss the shortlisted designs for the memorial.

Participants were invited to share their thoughts on what the memorial should represent and how it could best reflect the experiences of those affected by slavery. This community consultation ensured that the memorial not only commemorates the past but also speaks to the present-day realities of Black communities in Britain.

How the Memorial Can Drive Cultural Enlightenment

Beyond being a physical structure, the Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery offers a transformative opportunity for education and cultural understanding. The involvement of local communities, as well as international collaborators, ensures that this project will foster a wider appreciation of the legacy of slavery in shaping modern Britain. The legacy of the sugar and slave trades has left a lasting impact on the country, shaping its economy, infrastructure, and social fabric, with wealth generated from slavery playing a key role in the development of industries, cities, and institutions across the nation.

The installation of the memorial is just the beginning. Museum X and its partners are committed to developing satellite interventions across London to extend the memorial's impact, creating comprehensive learning resources to be launched in 2026 and continuing to engage the community in discussions about representation and cultural heritage.

Harry Cumberbatch MBE from the Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group, remarked: “The memorial will not only serve as a space for reflection but also as a powerful educational tool. We mustn’t forget the contributions, struggles, and resilience of those who suffered through the transatlantic slave trade, and this memorial helps keep those stories alive.”

The Power of Collective Action in Commemorating Our Shared History

For too long, the history of Britain’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade has been underrepresented in public discourse. This memorial is a step towards rectifying that, but it also highlights the broader issue: insufficient funding and support for Black cultural heritage initiatives. Projects like this require ongoing public involvement, research, and investment to ensure the stories of Black Britons are preserved and celebrated.

Museum X is bridging the gap in cultural heritage research, contributing to the creation of a Black British Museum. Without this collective effort, we risk perpetuating racially traumatic programmes and missing out on the opportunity to foster genuine cultural comprehension.

Image credits:

Sharon Grandison