CEO BLOG #29 JUNE 2026: A LEGACY ACTIVATED

At The Africa Centre, legacy is not something we inherit passively; it is something we activate. This month has seen us close our 60th anniversary exhibition, A Legacy Through Time. Running since January and extended five times due to overwhelming demand, it became far more than an exhibition, but a powerful moment. We extend our sincere thanks to curator Leon Robinson of Positive Steps and his team, led by Creative Director Emily Philips, for creating such a resonant experience. Rarely in our 60+-year history has a programme attracted such sustained and global praise, as reflected in the comments section of our guestbook. While the physical exhibition has concluded, its impact continues through a dedicated microsite and the preserved archival materials held at the London Archives. 

Comments from our 60th anniversary exhibition   

Comments from our 60th anniversary exhibition 

Another significant moment this past month has been the transition in leadership within our Young Africa Centre (YAC). After three years of exceptional service, first as Co-Chair and then as Chair, Catherine Munyarari has passed leadership to

 (Chair) and Anais Auvray (Vice Chair). YAC exists to empower young Africans and the diaspora to shape narratives, challenge perceptions and create meaningful opportunities. This subset of The Africa Centre is rooted in leadership, creativity, and community, and firmly places young people at the heart of defining both institutional and cultural futures. 

We celebrate this new leadership and look forward to supporting their vision as they build on Catherine’s remarkable legacy.  

(Catherine Munyarari)

(Ivanira Goia Morgado) 

(Anais Auvray)

Catherine, Ivanira and Anais (pictured above) demonstrate how the current generation is leading us into a new Africa. Young people are not simply attending events, but they are designing programmes, convening conversations and creating spaces that reflect the realities they inhabit: global, connected, entrepreneurial and unapologetically African. 

Over the past two years, our “YACtivists” have demonstrated deep commitment to storytelling, cultural exploration, and community-building. This is advancing our mission to ensure African stories are told by Africans, and on their own terms. At a time when many seek connection and purpose, this work is vital.  

Our role, as The Africa Centre, is to hold that space for them with intention. We need to support and amplify a generation that understands authenticity not as a fixed idea, but as an ongoing practice shaped through dialogue, creativity and exchange. As a continent, 70% of Africa’s population is under 30 years old. Yet, the estimated average age of Africa’s head of state is 68! The Young Africa Centre is a microcosm of the demographic trend on the continent, and also provides a portal to the expanded future possibilities that we need to see.  

As The Africa Centre evolves, YAC will play a defining role in shaping our next chapter, reflecting not only our future, but the future of African leadership itself. Follow Young Africa Centre here.  

A Redefined Paradigm for African Leadership  

The Africa Centre is partnering with Ujimaa Institute to launch their new book ‘The African Agility Renaissance’. The authors intend the launch to be more than just an event but the activation of a global diaspora management ecosystem. The book presents leadership development as a continuum of ageless African wisdom and forgotten ancestral knowledge. They aim that the book will address the 

‘…deep-seated sub-group cleavages within the African and Caribbean 

diaspora, replacing them with a model of unified group economics, indigenous business agility, and shared ancestral pride’.  

The launch event will be supplemented with 4 free-of-charge workshops, where the participating audience will learn some of the critical techniques and methodology underpinning the system.  

The book is being launched at The Centre on 24th July. For more information, see here.  

Africa Unite – At the World Cup! 

For the first time, Africa has ten representatives at the World Cup, creating greater opportunity for the continent to progress deep into the tournament. An unprecedented nine of the ten progressed beyond the group stages. By the time you read this, we are hopeful that at least 4 of them would have progressed to the quarter-finals.  

Beyond on-field performances, the tournament has been a powerful showcase of the breadth and depth of Africa’s culture. From Burna Boy’s electrifying opening ceremony performance to the striking kits, and from Afrobeats and Amapiano energising stadiums to passionate fan presence, Africa’s voice has been unmistakable. Powerful storytelling moments, such as Côte d’Ivoire’s Diomande’s tribute to his late sister, Roxane, have added real emotional layering to the event.  

The challenge now is to convert these cultural moments into sustained economic and global impact for the continent. The Africa Centre will be working with partners to present a discussion event on this soon after the World Cup. If you are interested in being part of this, please drop us a line.  

Coming Soon at The Africa Centre 

1st – 17th July: The Royal College of Arts Africa Society hosts an exhibition titled ‘Translation Issues’. Free to attend.  

17th & 18th July: Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Advocacy & Cultural Programme 2026. The theme of the programme is ‘Culture Beyond Borders’, and consists of special events covering literature, theatre, music and photography, including a special children’s event.  More information here.  

Did You Know? Wole Soyinka launched his seminal book The Man Died at The Africa Centre in 1972. 

Cultural Event of the Month:  

Opening of ‘Project a Black Planet – The Art & Culture of Panafrica‘ the new exhibition and associated programme at the Barbican, London. The Africa Centre curated a panel discussion on the 27th June, which brought together leading voices in Pan-African activism and art to reflect on the movement’s past and present.   

It was also commendable that The Barbican seized the opportunity of the opening event of the programme to reflect on the debacle of its 2014 ‘human zoo’ live exhibition, Exhibit B. Their unreserved apology for how they dealt with this is very welcome and an example to other public bodies that have made significant strategic EDI blunders. Here’s looking at you, BFI.  

Debate of The Month: Should fans of other African countries have cheered on opponents of South Africa at the World Cup?  

The Africa Centre position: This strong cross-continental reaction to the wave of anti-Immigration sentiment in South Africa is indicative of the disdain and concern shared that South Africa is ‘punching down’ on Black African migrants, rather than confronting the real issues that have resulted in the majority of South Africa being deprived of jobs, education or business opportunities in the post-Apartheid settlement. Nevertheless, it is uncomfortable to see other Africans cheering on opponents against them on a global stage, especially when these are countries like Mexico and Uruguay, who have very dark histories with their own Afro-descendant citizens. As my Grandma would say – two wrongs don’t make a right! 

Have a great month!  

Olu.  

PIC: Me with Col (Rtd) Christian Katsande, Zimbabwean Ambassador and Dean of the AU Heads of Mission, UK. This was at the Africa Day gala at the end of May, which I MC-ed.