Community activist becomes first black woman to head up International Slavery Museum

Community activist Michelle Charters has become the first black woman to lead the International Slavery Museum – the only national museum in the world dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies.

Liverpool-born Michelle will navigate the International Slavery Museum through a groundbreaking £28m transformation, from a gallery space into a prominent museum with the ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today. 

Michelle features on the museum’s Black Achievers Wall alongside such greats as Martin Luther King, Kofi Annan and Muhammad Ali, for her activism work, which dates back to 1979.

For the last 17 years she has worked tirelessly as CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool.

The multi-purpose centre was the vision of the Liverpool Black Sisters, an organisation formed in the 1970s to address the many forms of discrimination experienced by the Black community. She is the Founding Chair of the Merseyside Black History Month Group and first Black woman to be appointed a Trustee of the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres in Liverpool.

Michelle has been an advocate for National Museums Liverpool since she was first introduced to the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery at Maritime Museum by the late Dorothy Kuya in 1994.

She is also a member of the RESPECT group, which was established in 2008 leading on from the Liverpool Slavery Remembrance Initiative Steering Group, and for the last five years, she has sat on National Museums Liverpool’s board as a trustee. 

Michelle said:

“When I first stepped into what was known then as the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery nearly 30 years ago, I committed to be part of a movement to learn, interpret and share what we could about our ancestors’ pain and suffering.  

“Ever since, I have used the anger and hurt that I felt when confronted by shackles and artefacts from Africa that had been stolen or purchased by slave merchants, to ensure that my ancestors, their journey and our opportunity to tell the story was never forgotten.” 

Throughout her career spanning more than 40 years, Michelle’s commitment has been to uncover and promote the truth of Black experiences, both historically and in the present, to find a way in which we could all learn, share and participate in a collective fight for justice. 

She added:

“I am really excited to be joining such a forward-thinking organisation, which is making huge strides towards having the most representative audience and colleague profiles in the UK’s museums sector.

“It is a privilege to be joining such a skilled, professional and loyal team and I’m proud to be the one who will lead the International Slavery Museum as it realises National Museum Liverpool’s ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today.”

Supported by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the transformation of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum, including the redevelopment of the Dr Martin Luther King Jnr building, is an opportunity to co-create welcoming and thought-provoking spaces for education, exhibitions, discussion, and research.

The redevelopment is part of the wider National Museums Liverpool Waterfront Transformation Project, which will link storytelling, heritage, community and hospitality to create a rich visitor experience and will be a catalyst for social and environmental improvements in the area.

Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool said:

“Michelle has been connected to NML for many years, but now is a really exciting time for her to be joining us as the Head of the International Slavery Museum. She brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for the museum and shares the vision that we have for its transformation. Michelle has been part of the history of this museum for many years, and we can’t wait for her to be a part of its future.”

Michelle will step down as an NML trustee and the CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre to take up her new role in the new year. 

For more on the International Slavery Museum click HERE.