The city will mark Windrush Day 2026 (Monday 22 June) with the unveiling of the significant public monument at St Patrick's Park, Broad Street Basin, in recognition of the Windrush generation's contribution to the city over the past 78 years.
The monument is the result of a community-led partnership developed over several years and follows a consultation with Wolverhampton’s residents to help shape its location, themes and purpose.
The monument, created by artist Luke Perry, depicts the bow of the Windrush ship, an anchor, and rising chains. It features a poem, ‘A Monument is a Testament’, by poet Casey Bailey cut into the steel. The monument also features painted imagery by artist Victoria Murrain that tell family stories of the Windrush generation.
The community-led ceremony is open to the public and take places at 5.30pm on Monday 22 June, followed by a private evening reception.
Organisations involved in the project include Black Heritage Walks Network CIC, Black History & Heritage Wolverhampton, Churches 4 Positive Change, SIAN Computers, City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
Speaking on behalf of Wolverhampton’s Windrush Committee, Bishop Ruben King of Churches 4 Positive Change said: “On behalf of all partners involved with Wolverhampton’s Windrush Committee, we are extremely proud to have helped shape this important endeavour
“This monument honours those who were invited to cross oceans, came and reshaped Wolverhampton with their hands, their hope and their unbreakable spirit.
“It will stand as a reminder for future generations to pause, ask and remember the courage, strength and sacrifice that laid our deeply woven foundations, and will inspire the carrying forward of the living Windrush legacy.”
Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Paul Singh, said: “Wolverhampton has played a significant role in the story of the Windrush generation, and this monument is a powerful and lasting recognition of that legacy.
“I am proud that, on Windrush Day, we will come together to unveil a monument that reflects not only our history, but our shared future, ensuring that these stories are visible, valued and remembered for generations to come.”
The unveiling of the monument, supported by funding from City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Wanderers, is just part of this year’s Windrush Day celebrations in the city.
A successful £23,000 bid to the Windrush Day Grant Scheme was led by Black Heritage Walks Network CIC and will be delivered in partnership with Black History & Heritage Wolverhampton.
The funding will support a programme of community engagement, storytelling and educational activity. This includes heritage walks for schoolchildren led by Black Heritage Walks Network CIC, alongside a schools’ poetry competition, with winning entries to be etched into the monument.
The monument builds on sustained heritage work in Wolverhampton in recent years, including a family genealogy programme, Wolverhampton City Archives becoming a FamilySearch affiliated library to improve access to Caribbean histories and the unveiling of the Mel Chevannes statue, now permanently housed at the Civic Centre.
