A night of reflection and celebration

The event was hosted by Bristol Beacon Chair Of Trustees, Jonathan Dimbleby, and featured a heartfelt address to the pioneers and their families. The newly dedicated plaques will serve as a lasting commemoration of the Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers’ achievements, highlighting their role in paving the way for the pivotal Race Relations Act of 1965. This celebration was particularly timely, following the 60th anniversary of the Boycott in 2023.

Attendees were treated to an engaging ‘Conversation With’ session, featuring Bristol Beacon Trustees Marti Burgess and Sandra Meadows MBE, Curiosity UnLtd’s Disruptor-in-Chief Julz Davis, and Talent Director of Pegasus Opera Melvin Claridge, with the discussion taking place before Pegasus’ presentation over four performances of Windrush – The Journey and delving into the historical significance and lasting legacy of the Boycott.

Inspired by the 60th anniversary of the Boycott, four young artists from Bristol came together to create ‘We Rise – An Anthem for Change.‘ This powerful track, played during the event, aims to inspire future generations by upholding the principles championed by the original Boycott activists of 1963.

The Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers helped make a better society for all of us. Their actions paved the way for a landmark piece of legislation in the form of the Race Relations Act. We’re spotlighting their contribution to the city and country through this naming dedication. I grew up with many of these pioneers, yet I did not know about their contributions. It means a great deal to me because today I live in a better city because of their actions – and I think we can build on this legacy to help Bristol truly unlock its super-power of diversity.”

Julz Davis, Disruptor-in-Chief at Curiosity UnLtd

The seat naming dedications at Bristol Beacon are a profound tribute to the 28 Bristol Bus Boycott Pioneers. This event not only highlights their courageous stand against racial discrimination but also ensures that their legacy continues to inspire future generations. By commemorating their resilience and commitment to justice, we celebrate the rich diversity and strength of our Bristol community – and we are honoured to have welcomed the history makers, friends and families to Bristol Beacon to share this significant moment.”

Jonathan Dimbleby, Chair of Bristol Beacon

A rich tapestry of performances

The evening continued with a performance of Windrush The Journey in Lantern Hall. Guests were enthralled by Pegasus Opera Company’s new work, which showcased a rich tapestry of music and storytelling celebrating black classical composers from the past, present, and future.

Immersive walkaround exhibitions

In addition to the seat dedications, two free exhibitions are being staged as part of the Windrush To Bristol programme – both running until Sunday 5 July.

Looking Back: with Karl Ritchie is an exhibition of images in our Kennedy Room taken through the lens of one of Bristol’s Windrush generation, the Bristol photographer Karl Ritchie who was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1938 who he first began capturing images with a ‘Box Brownie’ camera. The exhibition offers a small selection of his vast archive, which reflects his interest in sport, music, art, celebrity, community and achievement.

Race Cards: A Blueprint 4 Change is taking place in our Stalls Bar and collates Bristol people’s reflections and ideas around race, representation and resilience, with a vision to forge them into a manifesto to achieve racial equality for the city. Empowered by the activism of the Bristol Bus Boycott and the inspirational vision of Martin Luther King’s Dream, Curiosity UnLtd launched #Race4Power in January 2023, at the people’s plinth. The exhibition, created by Julz Davis, displays the 500+ responses received and is designed to spark a set of challenging but constructive city-wide conversations, ultimately to inform the co-creation of a new grassroots-led manifesto on racial equality for the city.