Britain Re-Written: Discuss, Decode, Decolonise

Hosted by Opal22, in collaboration with leading cultural and academic voices, this Black History Month event explores the colonial legacies embedded in Britain’s archives and museums. Through powerful keynote talks, a panel discussion, and audience engagement, we’ll examine who has historically held the pen and how we begin to take it back.

This event is not just about exposing gaps in the historical record; it is about reclaiming space, challenging institutional silence, and creating new pathways for inclusive, community-led memory.

We’re honoured to be joined by an exceptional lineup of speakers and thinkers: Emma Dabiri (author of Don’t Touch My Hair and What White People Can Do Next, broadcaster, and social commentator) and professor Robert Beckford (academic, theologian, and award-winning filmmaker exploring race, culture, and justice). Together, they will reflect on what decolonising the archive looks like in practice, and what role the public can, and must, play in shaping more honest and inclusive narratives.

Expect keynote addresses from Dabiri and Beckford, offering personal insight and critical analysis, an interactive element where guests will be invited to examine museum objects and contribute their own interpretations and responses, as well as welcome drinks, light refreshments, and networking with local creatives, educators, and community leaders.

This event is open to anyone with an interest in history, cultural heritage, education, or social justice. Whether you're a student, researcher, creative practitioner, or a member of the community looking to better understand how our national memory is shaped, you will find space here to listen, question, and contribute.