Becoming Us: African Caribbean St Albans explores the role of the African Caribbean community in St Albans and celebrates its multifaceted contributions to the city over the past 80 years. Co-curated by LeeAnna's Wish and Active Lifestyles, the exhibition aims to inspire the next generation and encourage people from different backgrounds to embrace a shared history.
The exhibition focused on the period between 1948 – 1971 but also referred to black St Albans' residents before this time while celebrating achievements up to the present day. The main themes include; Windrush and Arrival, Working lives, Overcoming Adversity, African Caribbean Culture, Commercial Music and Celebrating Achievements.
After the Empire Windrush arrived in 1948, its passengers dispersed across the UK. While no formal record of their destinations was made, thousands settled in Hertfordshire in towns including Watford, Hitchin, Stevenage, Letchworth and St Albans. Many worked in public services becoming the backbone of St Albans former mental health and learning disability hospitals, which were the largest long stay hospitals in Europe.
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