A new project, “Becoming Brent,” has been awarded £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium.
The initiative will explore the impact of the British Empire in Brent, the legacy of Britain’s colonial past, and the continuing effects of racism.
Wembley Park and Wembley Stadium, originally built to host the British Empire Exhibition, were designed to showcase Britain’s status as a global power.
The Exhibition, which attracted 27 million visitors between 1924 and 1925, highlighted Britain’s economic success, much of which was built on the exploitation of people across Africa, the Caribbean, Ireland, and Asia. The hierarchies of class and race established during the Empire still affect Britain’s diverse communities today.
The “Becoming Brent” project will include a series of workshops, a community-led exhibition, an art installation, and walking tours. These events aim to provide residents with the opportunity to engage with historical materials and reflect on how the past resonates in the present.
Brent Museum and Archives will host workshops on Friday, 6 September, from 11am to 2pm, and Saturday, 7 September, from 11am to 2pm.
The grant will also support the digitisation of the museum’s collections, making it easier for current and future generations to access materials that depict Brent’s development over the past century.
“There is no easy way to discuss slavery or the legacies of the British Empire but, on the 100th anniversary of the Empire Exhibition, it is important to face the harsh truth of Britain’s colonial past,” said Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Resident Support and Culture.
“Becoming Brent is about acknowledging this colonial past, which led to Wembley Stadium being built, and exploring what we need to do as a community to come to terms with that. What makes this project so relevant, and fascinating is that by exploring, finding lost or hidden stories or artefacts, we can better understand how inequalities have become embedded in society and advocate for a future free from discrimination.”
Councillor Donnelly-Jackson also encouraged residents to participate in the workshops, “Our diversity is what makes us who we are. It brings together experiences, ideas and perspectives that are essential to making our borough the amazing place that so many people call home.
“I would encourage everyone to take part in the workshops, to join in writing the next chapter of Brent’s history and to be part of this difficult but extremely important conversation. I hope you will join in celebrating our diverse communities in Brent by sharing your own rich stories and experiences.”
The exhibition opens on Monday 28 October until 31 January 2025.
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