Revolutionary Acts of Remembrance- Pioneering African-American Preservationist to Speak at London Museum Docklands.

Revolutionary Acts of Remembrance- Pioneering African-American

Preservationist to Speak at London Museum Docklands.

Presented by London Museum Docklands & African Remembrance Day Committee

The Museum of London Docklands and African Remembrance Day Committee presents an exclusive lecture and interview with Peggy King Jorde, pioneering preservationist and former director of New York's African Burial Ground National Memorial design project. This special presentation marks three decades of celebrations for African Remembrance Day.

King Jorde, a Harvard Loeb Fellow and Consulting Scholar at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, brings her remarkable expertise in preserving African diaspora heritage sites to London. Her groundbreaking work began in the early 1990s when, as an architectural project manager for New York City's mayor's office, she spearheaded the preservation of a historic burial ground for free and enslaved African people in lower Manhattan.

Her preservation efforts have since expanded globally, most recently to the British territory of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. This work is featured in the acclaimed British documentary,

"A Story of Bones," directed by Joseph Curran and Dominic deVere of Archer's Mark.

King Jorde's connection to London runs deep. During her formative year as a 1979 exchange student at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, she strengthened her bonds with her British cousins: London portrait photographer Slater King, former Labour Party MP, and life peer Oona King. Her family legacy is intertwined with the American Civil Rights Movement.

In 1964, she was among the first to integrate an all-white elementary school, and her father served as legal counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King, which profoundly shaped her mission.

"'m a product of America's apartheid," says King Jorde. "My work focuses on revolutionary acts of remembrance that honor African presence and heritage, connecting to the broader narrative of enslavement, agency, and resettlement-a fundamental core of my work."

The presentation is part of the Museum of London Docklands' year-long commemoration of African Remembrance Day's 30th anniversary. "The event discussion will also spotlight the rise of Doors of Return monuments along West Africa's coast and the ongoing efforts to memorialize the millions lost to the Atlantic graveyard," wrote Committee spokesman Onyekachi Wambu. This event will offer a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices in preserving African diaspora heritage sites.

About the Speaker Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Peggy King Jorde, a pioneering preservationist, organizer, and filmmaker whose remarkable journey began in the bustling streets of lower Manhattan and has reached across oceans to protect forgotten historic sites of the African
diaspora.
The Power of Discovery and Action In the early 1990s, while working as an architectural project manager in the New York City mayor's office, King Jorde made a discovery that would change her life - and history. Upon learning that construction was planned atop an African-American burial ground in lower Manhattan, she launched into action. Drawing strength from her family's deep roots in the civil rights movement, she led a passionate campaign to preserve this sacred site, ensuring that those
who came before would not be forgotten.
A Global Mission King Jorde's dedication to preserving African diaspora heritage has taken her across the globe, including to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. Midway between Africa and the Americas, she worked to protect another vital piece of African heritage, adding to her legacy
of cultural preservation and historical justice. Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear from a woman who has dedicated her life to ensuring that sacred spaces of the African diaspora are protected, honored, and remembered for
generations to come.

For event registration and inquiries, www.londonmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/new-doors-of-return/

Media Contact: Peggy King Jorde / 201-394-7304 /

In- Person Event Details:

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Location: Museum of London Docklands

West India Quay, London E14 4AL

LINKS:
www.kingjordeculturals.com
BBC Outlook Podcast Saving New York's African Burial Ground Documentary " American Graveyard" Bertha Doc House "A Story of Bones" Guardian Article "Sites of Resistance"
The Guardian: Film feature "Buried"
UN News / Radio: Preserving African Burial Grounds: Protecting History