PRESS RELEASE : Statue for Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah and memorial for Rolan Adams among 28 new community projects funded by the Mayor [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 23 February 2023.

• Mayor’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm awards £500,000 to support  community-led projects across 17 boroughs
• A new memorial for victims of the New Cross Fire in 1981, a mural in Lambeth celebrating female activists and mural painters and a trail describing the history of Jewish and interfaith communities in Willesden and Brondesbury Park
• This funding is the second round of the Mayor’s £1m Untold Stories programme, delivering on his commitment to make public spaces more reflective of the capital’s diversity

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today awarded nearly £500,000 to support 28 projects across the capital to improve diversity in our public spaces.

New statues, artworks and walking tours across 17 boroughs will receive funding as part of a £1m programme from the Mayor’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.

The grants offer communities the opportunity to develop ideas and share their stories in the public realm. Organisations applied for grants of up to £5,000 to develop a concept or idea, or up to £25,000 if the project is further developed.

The Commission was created by the Mayor to help tell the full story of the capital, as the majority of London’s statues, street names and memorials largely reflect Victorian Britain. The £1m Untold Stories programme aims to help community organisations celebrate those who have contributed to the success of our city and, in some cases, pay tribute to Londoners who have lost their lives.

This second round of funding brings the total number of projects funded to 70, across 24 London boroughs. It includes:

• A statue of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah in Mountsfield Park, Lewisham. It will be a permanent memorial to the nine-year old who tragically died 10 years ago due to toxic air pollution. Named First Breath for Our Future Ancestor. The project will incorporate a pollution-absorbing statue, wildflower meadow and an air quality sensor to help local residents monitor the air they breathe.
• A new memorial in Thamesmead to commemorate 15 year old Rolan Adams, whose murder in 1991 sparked a huge anti-racism movement and changed the face of a borough.
• A trail describing the history of Jewish and interfaith communities in Willesden and Brondesbury Park will be created.
• A walk and audio tour which will feature local stories, music and poetry celebrating the communities of Latimer and Westway in Kensington and Chelsea. The tour will represent the complex and layered histories of these local communities.
• The installation of a landmark opposite 47 Tulse Hill, a listed building in Lambeth, where Princess Diana opened one of London’s first HIV / AIDS clinics. This project will help to tell the story of those affected and who attended the clinic.

·      A plaque, panel, memorial bench and 15 tree guards in Down Park Hackney will tell the story of the devastating New Cross Fire in 1981 in which 13 people lost their lives. It will also celebrate local activist Charles Collins who has not only fought for a permanent place for 13 memorial trees commemorating those who died, but for more to be done to remember the victims of that terrible tragedy.

• A mural in Lambeth celebrating female activists and mural painters in the 1970s and 1980s whose work is disappearing.
• A mobile space and café designed by D/deaf artists to celebrate and share stories from the community in Lambeth.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “It is vital that London’s public spaces are able to reflect the many different communities that make up our great city.

“I am proud that through the Untold Stories programme we are able to support projects that will tell many more stories of the people who have helped to build and shape our capital.

“I want everyone to be able to take pride in our city’s public spaces and I know that by raising awareness about more of our heritage and history we are creating a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Lynette Nabbosa, Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm member and the founder of Elimu, said: “Untold Stories received a huge number of applications, of brilliant breadth and creativity, showing the passion and drive of Londoners to see themselves reflected in our public spaces. Projects from the first round of funding are already making an impact, I can’t wait to experience what communities across London develop from this second round.”

Charlotte Bill, Director and Project manager for Clapham Film Unit said: “Clapham Film Unit is very excited to be working with a young mural artist to transform Clapham Deep Shelter and to tell the story of two Women’s street art collectives. The local community and London’s network of Mural Artists are in support of the project. Funding from the Mayor of London is making this dream a reality, increasing diverse representation in the public realm and telling the Untold Story of Women street artists”.

Chris French, Chair and Founder Lambeth Links said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding to recognise a truly trailblazing welcoming safe space, that was a sanctuary for many communities affected by HIV. This will be a true community led project and we can’t wait to begin!”

Nurull Islam, Creative producer, Mile End Community Project said: “We are overjoyed to receive this funding which will allow us to shed light on the untold stories of migrants through the power of arts. This support will Make a difference in bringing a voice to those who have been marginalised.”

Gbemisola Isimi, Culture Tree said: “We are very happy and honoured to have been awarded this funding. It will help us in our efforts to celebrate Yoruba culture and raise awareness of Yoruba heritage and contributions to Southwark borough.”