London's Memorial to the Victims of Transatlantic Slavery
The Wake by Khaleb Brooks will be London’s new Memorial to Victims of Transatlantic Slavery.
Although much of London’s wealth was built on the labour of enslaved Africans, there are few memorials that focus on those that were enslaved. Many public memorials in London commemorate enslavers or focus on abolitionists. The new memorial is a chance to redress the balance.
The Mayor of London has committed £500,000 to develop the memorial. We’re proud to work with OMMX and YAA Projects as architects for the memorial’s setting.
The Wake will be outside the London Museum Docklands in West India Quay. The memorial is a result of engagement with Londoners. It's joined by a learning programme and there will be more ‘Sites of Memory’ across the city and the world.
Discover The Wake
The new memorial will feature a nearly seven-metre-high bronze cowrie shell. Cowrie shells hold cultural and spiritual significance. But became a stark symbol of slavery and the exploitation of human life as currency.
The Wake acknowledges that dark past but reclaims the cowrie shell as a symbol of resilience, creating a space for contemplation and reflection.
Get involved
The new memorial will deepen London’s story and shape how we understand the city. If you’d like to get involved, email [email protected].
Playing this video will set cookies from YouTube/Google
Watch: The Wake's announcement in 2024
Learn and connect to the history
Find out why London’s getting a new memorial and how we're developing it with key partners and communities.
Discover the partner memorials that will connect the global history and stories of slavery across London and the world.
Why it's called memorial to victims of transatlantic slavery
This memorial focuses on those who suffered, were oppressed and forced to overcome horrific harms committed against them. So we refer clearly to the victims of transatlantic slavery.
We acknowledge the word ‘victim’ comes with complex meanings. For some, it validates that horrifying crimes were committed against enslaved Africans. For others, it is passive and ahistorical, denying the strength and resistance of those enslaved.
We acknowledge that language is continually changing when talking about transatlantic slavery. We will continue to listen and explore how we can best talk about this project in a manner that is respectful, humanising and accurate.
Stay up to date
Sign up to the newsletter to get updates on London's new memorial and our work on diversity in London's public realm.