This tapestry depicts Democratic Republic of Congo’s history across eras, drawing connections between Swahili slave traders and Belgian colonial officials.

December 13, 2024 – June 8, 2025

National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DCConcourse Level (C), Bank of America Special Exhibitions Gallery 

 See on Map  Floor Plan

In Slavery’s Wake immerses visitors in the freedom-making practices of Black communities navigating both the histories and the legacies of racial slavery and colonialism. A dynamic mix of history, art, and mediamakes connections between Black freedom-makers across time and invites visitors into a global conversation on the continued impacts of slavery and colonialism. This multi-lingual exhibition experience features 100 objects, 250 images, and 10 multi-media interactives and films.

The exhibition will travel to Africa, Europe, and the Americas, shifting the way we think about, talk about, and represent the history of slavery, race, and globalization, and its continuing relevance to our world today.

About The Exhibition

  • Where: Concourse Level (C), Bank of America Special Exhibitions Gallery 
  • When: December 13, 2024 – June 8, 2025
  • Curatorial Team: Global Curatorial Project

Reserve Passesabout About The Exhibition

Picture of people gathered in a ceremony at Coney Island titled "Ancestral Memorial."

The Experience

A dynamic mix of history, art, and media, “In Slavery’s Wake” makes connections between Black freedom-makers across time and invites visitors into a global conversation on the continued impacts of slavery and colonialism. This multi-lingual exhibition experience features 100 objects, 250 images, and 10 multi-media interactives and films.


Group Picture of In Slavery's Wake global curatorial team

The Project

“In Slavery’s Wake” is a global curatorial project that explores, interrogates, and reframes the histories and legacies of slavery, colonialism, and freedom on an international scale. The project grew out of decade-long collaboration between international curators, scholars, and community members working to tell stories of slavery and colonialism in public spaces. 


Image of a photographer capturing an unfinished conversations particpant

Unfinished Conversations

Everyday people from around the world share stories of slavery, colonialism, memory, race, and place, through a new oral history archive called Unfinished Conversations. Their voices are featured throughout the gallery.

Keywords: Black freedom, Slavery, Washington D.C., Cultural events, Black history

#BlackHistory #FreedomJourney #WashingtonDC

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