UNESCO Day for Remembering the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition 2024

Arthur is a Guyanese-born community advocate, Director and co-founder (with the late Sam King) of the London-based Windrush Foundation, a charity that since 1996 has been working to highlight the contributions to the UK of African and Caribbean peoples, "keeping alive the memories of the young men and women who were among the first wave of post-war settlers in Britain", and promoting good community relations. 

Arthur was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 for his Windrush work, and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011 for work which publicised the life of Olaudah Equiano (also known as Gustavus Vassa, a former enslaved African,1745-1797).

Dr Nathaniel Adam Tobias Coleman (they/them) is an independent inheritance (‘heritage’) consultant and an activist intellectual historian of abolitionist ideas. They explain their name, here. 

Schooled in Oxford (Double First in Greats), Paris (Entente Cordial Scholar), and Michigan (PhD in Philosophy), they began their career in this country, in 2013, with Research Fellowships at Liverpool’s Centre for the Study of International Slavery and Hull’s Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation. 

In the ensuing decade, in addition to teaching ‘The Philosophy of Anti-Slavery’ at UCL, ‘Ethics and Theory of Politics’ at Oxford, and ‘Modern Slavery: Issues and Debates’ at Bristol, they mobilised global movements asking ‘Why Isn’t My Professor Black?’, ‘Why Is My Curriculum White?’, and asserting that ‘Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford’. 

Now Visiting Fellow at the University of Birmingham, they are writing, through the lens of ‘The City of Birmingham as Britain’s Abolition Geography’, a new history of The Movement for Abolition in the British Empire. They seek to shift attention away from the all too familiar movement to abolish a so-called “slave trade” (1787-1807), and onto the neglected—yet ongoing—movement to abolish British Negro Apprenticeship (1838?). Listen to some of their arguments in their talk, invited by the Humboldt University of Berlin, on Elizabeth Heyrick’s activism in the 1820s and their podcast, commissioned by the Henry Moore Institute, on Joseph Sturge’s activism in the 1830s.

An accomplished educationalist and established sociology, education, and inclusion scholar. Dr Javeria is Associate Director at the Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy and Practice. She is also a member of the Principal's Office at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. Dr Shah has launched the first Black History 365 initiative at the university.  

With over 20 years of experience in the UK post-compulsory (14+) education sector, Dr Shah has worked in various capacities, including teaching and national qualification writing.

An award-winning international Equalities designer and researcher, whose practice explores extending the frontiers of knowledge around mental difference, non-typical bodyminds, ways of being and marginalised experiences.

Natasha seeks to reframe mainstream notions of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion through an intersectional design lens, spanning multi-modal interactions, place-shaping, investigative play, and policy design.

Stephen is a young Nigerian man in his 20's, with a passion and commitment to promoting awareness, education, and remembrance of this pivotal historical event, through his profound belief in honouring the memory of those impacted by the slave trade and striving towards a more just and equitable future for all. 

Residing in London and hailing from the Yoruba tribe in the southwest of Nigeria, Stephen has dedicated much of his free time during his pursuit of a BSc and MSc to understanding the culture and history. His interest deepened even more, during an exploratory journey, reading about 'The History of the Yorubas: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate.' highlighting the profound impact of slavery on the population.

A Cultural Producer and Arts Leader with 20 years’ experience in community and participatory arts and large scale events. She is currently the Head Of Culture at Camden Council, having previously led culture at Brent Council for over 10 years.

Zerritha has led on a number of high profile projects with  local communities to amplify the UKs black history. A Clore Leadership Programme Alumni and winner of the Best Arts Champion Local Authority in the National Campaign for the Arts, Hearts for Arts 2022.

President and Director of Birthmark of Africa as well as Head researcher in the disciplines of Law, Criminology and Sociology. Priscellia's specialist areas of research are human rights, environmental, social and governance. Priscellia is currently undertaking her PHD at the University of West London, upon the ongoing legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade & Windrush generation.

In December 2019, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (United Nations Human Rights) awarded Priscellia a UN Fellow, alongside receiving UN training in International Human Rights Law, on top of being a Direct Access Barrister.

Founder and CEO of Black Female Entrepreneurship Greenwich (BFEG), and the visionary behind a community boutique in Woolwich, Lucy is a multifaceted individual whose passion for empowering women, entrepreneurship, and community service has left an indelible mark on society. As an Accessories Designer, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mentor, she has dedicated her life to equipping women with the tools and mindset needed to start and grow their businesses, fostering a platform for aspiring female entrepreneurs to thrive.

With a career spanning various industries, Lucy has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication. Her expertise as a Business Consultant and Designer has been invaluable in shaping the careers of countless women entrepreneurs. 

Lucy's remarkable contributions to the community have earned her numerous accolades and recognition. In 2019, she received the prestigious Royal Borough of Greenwich Civic Award for her outstanding voluntary role in the community. Moreover, her exemplary leadership earned her The Lioness Women Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to empowering women. Lucy's relentless dedication to community service and entrepreneurship was honoured when she received the platinum jubilee Championed award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. This award recognised her outstanding contributions to community development and service.