Former Mayor Marvin Rees delivers an address at the BLF Launch. Photos by Allison Knight.
About Us
The Bristol Legacy Foundation (BLF) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation founded in 2019 committed to addressing the systemic marginalisation of African Heritage Communities (AHC) in cultural, creative, and public spaces.
Guided by the principles of equity, reparative justice, and the rights to self-determination, the Bristol Legacy Foundation collaborates with key institutional partners, including the University of Bristol, Bristol City Council, the Society of Merchant Venturers, and the Church of England – Diocese of Bristol, to align reparatory justice responses across Bristol. Our Memorandum of Understanding with Bristol City Council underscores their support for our three core workstreams: AHC Legacy Implementation, Memorialisation, and Storyhouse.
Through ambitious initiatives such as the Storyhouse and Reparatory Justice informed legacy building programmes, BLF amplifies the voices of African Heritage Communities. Our work strives to see Bristol positioned as a leading city in progressing African reparatory justice, creating inclusive spaces, legacy and sustainable opportunities for African heritage generations to come.
We aim to foster international connections with similar organisations around the world. In December 2024, we hosted an International Roundtable on Legacy and Memorialisation attended by organisations across Europe and the USA, including Association La Coque du Nomade Fraternité (France), the Slavery Legacy History Coalition (Boston, USA), Glasgow City Council (Scotland) and the International Slavery Museum (Liverpool, England).
‘Remembering H.I.M: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie I’s Visit to Bristol’ hosted in collaboration with Fairfield House and the Royal British Legion. Photos by Ian Wade.