Meet Miss Augustina Nkrumah Duah, a young motivated Ghanaian woman empowered to represent African and Caribbean communities on initiatives that tackle discrimintation and offer voice to people of black origin

Miss Nkrumah-Duah narrates her experience on teh REBEL CURATORS PROJECT

I am incredibly proud to share that I was part of The Griot Project, a powerful initiative dedicated to preserving and amplifying the stories of African and Caribbean communities.

Telling our story is a vital tool for connection, empowerment, and change. Through this project, I had the opportunity to help ensure that our voices are heard, valued, and remembered. In the main article, I share my experience, the impact of the project, and why story matters now more than ever.

Let’s celebrate our stories and continue uplifting our narratives!

M Shed is proud to announce GRIOT, a bold and thought provoking intervention in the Transatlantic Traffic of Enslaved Africans Gallery, launched on March 25, 2025 coinciding with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Named after the revered West African storytellers who preserve oral traditions, GRIOT brings fresh, authentic, and Afro-centric perspectives to this crucial history. Developed by a dynamic team of Rebel Curators and Rebel Creators, led by Julz Davis, this powerful display bridges the past and present through digital storytelling, poetry, art, and contemporary reflections.

Reclaiming Narrative

For too long, the stories of African and Caribbean people affected by the transatlantic slave trade have been told from an outsider’s perspective. GRIOT changes this. During Black History Month 2024, a collective of creatives and historians came together to reframe and reclaim the narrative ensuring that these histories are told with depth, dignity, and authenticity.

An Interactive, Multi-Sensory Experience

Visitors to GRIOT will experience:

-I Am Dâaga – a powerful short film with voiceover by Bandele Iyapo, produced by Julz Davis (Curiosity UnLtd)

-I Am Beverly Jones featuring voiceover by Empress Aje, with footage courtesy of Bandele Iyapo, produced by Julz Davis (Curiosity UnLtd)

-Three thought provoking poems written by the Rebel Curators

-Crossing Tides a compelling film series weaving stories of rebellion from the Atlantic to the River Avon, written by Clive Smith, Augustina Nkrumah-Duah, and Michael Jenkins, narrated by Clive Smith, illustrated by Jasmine Thompson, animated by Taz Ngozi and directed by Michael Jenkins (produced by 8th Sense Media)

-Hide Me No: Reframing Africa a fresh perspective on African heritage

-Illustrations by Jazz Thompson

-Soundtrack to the Rebellion a hand picked playlist capturing the pain, pride, and power of the Black experience.

A Call for Reflection and Change

Helen McConnell Simpson, Senior Curator of Social History at M Shed, states: GRIOT is more than a display it is a dialogue between history and the present. We invite visitors to listen, learn, and reflect on how this history shapes our world today.

Philip Walker, Head of Culture and Creative Industries at Bristol City Council, echoed this sentiment: Our guiding principles are to take an anti-racist position, repair wrongs, and encourage reflection. We want visitors to leave not just informed but inspired to engage in meaningful conversations.Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, GRIOT is a vital step in transforming how Bristol tells its history—ensuring that Black voices shape the future of historical storytelling. Join the Conversatio at M Shed. We invite you to experience this groundbreaking display, engage in the conversation, and be part of the movement to tell a fuller, richer history.