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ACSONI & JoinHer Network – Black History Showcase 2023 Closing Reception


ACSONI and JoinHer Network partnered for the 2nd year in a row to bring the Black History Showcase to Belfast once again. This time the showcase ran from the 14th to the 21st October and it was hosted by Artcetera Studios which happens to be next door to the First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street in Belfast.
Belfast City Council recently unveiled a statue commemorating legendary American Abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The statue stands near the First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street; a site which itself holds significance for not only hosting Douglass during his time in Belfast, but also was the base of the successful outcry against slave ships being commissioned in Belfast in the late 18th century, some 50 years before Frederick Douglass’ arrival. Douglass, a widely renowned orator, gave many speeches at the invitation of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society.
It was poignant to have a closing reception for the exhibition only s stones throw from the statue of Frederick Douglass.
We were joined by our friends in the community as well as at an institutional level. Our friends from PSNI, National Museums Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council came to show their support for Black History Month and we are humbled and grateful for the time they sacrificed to spend with us last Saturday afternoon.
The First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street; a site which itself holds significance for not only hosting Douglass during his time in Belfast, but also was the base of the successful outcry against slave ships being commissioned in Belfast in the late 18th century, some 50 years before Frederick Douglass’ arrival. Douglass, a widely renowned orator, gave many speeches at the invitation of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society. It was poignant to have a closing reception for the exhibition only a stones throw from the statue of Frederick Douglass.
Agrippa Njanina, Community Engagement Officer for National Museums Northern Ireland welcomed guests to the reception by setting the mood with the Mbira Instrument and his vocals.
A view of the Mbira instrument from the players perspective
Inside the First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street
Dr. Livingstone Thompson, Chair of ACSONI Board of Trustees began the formalities with a speech.
Lori Gatsi Barnett of JoinHer Network giving her speech.
Triona White Hamilton, Curator of Modern History National Museums NI was kind enough to say a few words on behalf of the National Museums of Northern Ireland.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Ryan Murphy made time to express the commitment of Belfast City to commemorate and celebrate the collective history of all people on these shores while speaking within the context of Black History Month.
ACSONI and JoinHer Network partnered for the 2nd year in a row to bring the Black History Showcase to Belfast once again. Some scenes from the reception
Many of the items on exhibition were donated by members of the community from all over the diaspora. This ashtray from Trinidad & Tobago was kindly donated to ACSONI by David O’Doherty
Part of the exhibition included photographs and documentation evidencing the linkages between Northern Ireland and the transatlantic slave trade; these exhibits were made available as a result of the Links & Legacies project embarked on by ACSONI in commemoration of the 400 years since abolition.
Cllr Ryan Murphy, our Lord Mayor reflects on images from The Links & Legacy project
A powerful image of Belfast’s first citizen.
Another kind donation from Trinidad & Tobago by our friend David O’Doherty
A poem by comunity member and activist Nandi Jola.

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