Celebrating the Launch of the Walsall Windrush Sisters Project
The Walsall Windrush Sisters Project launched at Walsall Library with an energy that set the tone for everything this initiative aims to achieve.
Walsall Windrush Sisters Oral Story contributor Lillian Thompson with her Story Banner at the Exhibition Launch Event
The building was full from the moment doors opened; community members, partners, families, and supporters all arriving with a clear appetite to learn, engage, and celebrate the stories of Walsall’s Caribbean women.
A highlight of the day was welcoming several of our Windrush elders. Watching them proudly stand beside their banners created a real moment of recognition for the borough. Their presence anchored the event and reminded everyone that this work is about people, legacy, and lived experience.
Operational delivery was driven by a fantastic team of volunteers and the heritage staff who’ve invested months of research, coordination, and preparation into making this project a reality. Their commitment ensured the event ran smoothly and set a strong delivery benchmark for future activity.
Bringing Stories to Life Through Performance
To deepen the experience, actors in Windrush-era attire (1950s–1970s) performed monologues inspired by the voices of the women featured in the project. This brought the stories off the page and into the room—a dynamic, immersive way to connect audiences to the lived histories behind the exhibition. The response in the room made it clear: hearing these stories performed created emotional impact and unlocked a new level of engagement.
Exhibition Impact and Ongoing Momentum
Following the launch, the full Walsall Windrush Sisters exhibition moved to the upper floor of Walsall Library, where it remained accessible throughout Black History Month.
Footfall stayed strong, with visitors returning to explore the stories further, share their own connections, and engage with the project beyond the launch day.
The event not only marked the start of the exhibition, it established the project’s role in shaping how Walsall recognises, documents, and celebrates Caribbean women’s heritage. The momentum generated in that room continues to drive the work forward.
WBSC CEO Maureen Lewis at the Walsall Windrush Sisters Exhibition Launch Event
Walsall Windrush Sister contributor and former councillor Victoria Whyte with her Story Banner at the Launch Event
