Free event

Essential information

Type
Location
Date and times October 2021- June 2022

Influenced by the afrofuturist world-making of musicians like Sun Ra and Igbo creation myths, the legendary 90s Detroit techno duo Drexciya named themselves after a mythological underwater country populated by the unborn children of pregnant African women who were thrown off slave ships. The Black Atlantis series invites artists, academics, activists and musicians to discuss the nautical afrofuturist mythologies that Black creatives have explored and what they tell us about the Black experience in the new millennium.

The Black Atlantis Series will take place both online and on site at the National Maritime Museum from October 2021 - June 2022

In conversation with Alexandra Wanjiku Kelbert

Wednesday 13 October 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Black Atlantis Series.

 

In this conversation with educator and activist Alexandra Wanjiku Kelbert we explore afro-futurist mythologies in fiction and how these connect to climate justice, feminist practice and a radical Black liberation movements.

Alexandra Wanjiku Kelbert is a London-based educator and activist. She is a member of Black Lives Matter UK and the Wretched of the Earth collective.

Her work focuses mainly on the politics of race, gender, class and climate justice. Her educational work centres on race and racism, black feminism and radical imagination. She currently works at the University of Warwick.

Alexandra has worked on a number of collaborative and creative projects and recently wrote a piece for Skin Deep magazine called 'No police, no pollution: A vision for Black liberation in the UK’.

Chair: Chardine Taylor-Stone : Adult Education Programmer at National Maritime Museum

Book tickets

Event Image: Pumzi 2009 Dir: Wanuri Kahiu

Black History Month 365

Join us in celebrating Black histories as part of a year round programmes of activities

B.O.S.S. X RMG

Saturday 4 December, time TBC

Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S), The Only Good System Is a Soundsystem, 2021. Installation view at FACT, Liverpool Biennial 2021. Photography_ Rob Battersby (5).jpg

Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.) was established in the summer of 2018 with the intention of bringing together a community of queer, trans and non-binary black and people of colour involved in art, sound and radical activism. Following in the legacies of sound system culture they wanted to learn, build and sustain a resource for our collective struggles. The system, based in London, is available to use or rent by community groups and others with the purpose of amplifying and connecting them.

B.O.S.S illustration by Jacob V Joyce 2021.png


The Turner Prize 2021 nominated collective will be taking over the National Maritime Museum's Great Map with their sound system and inviting guests to explore afrofuturistic and nautical themes through music, art and performance within our galleries.

Learn more about B.O.S.S.
 

What’s on

Talks and tours

Treasures Tour of the National Maritime Museum

Explore some of the Museum’s most prized – and lesser-known – objects on a guided tour
Daily at 12pm and 2pm
£7.50 Adult | £5.50 Student | £3.75 Child | Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours

LGBTQ+ history talks at the National Maritime Museum

We deliver queer history talks at least once a week at the National Maritime Museum
Thursdays and Sundays | See page for dates | 3.30pm | Drop-in
Free
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Space and astronomy

First Look at First Light

Join some of the team behind the transformational First Light project at the Royal Observatory at this exclusive presentation
Tuesday 3 November 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' treasures tours

Explore the treasures of the National Maritime Museum with one of our expert guides
Sunday 8 November | Saturday 12 December 2026 | 11am
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Space and astronomy

Flamsteed Lecture: the secret history of a space mission

Join us for this Flamsteed Astronomy Society lecture about discovering the origin of stars, galaxies and water
Monday 16 November 2026 | 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Empire at the Edge of the World: an illustrated lecture

Hear about a harrowing Arctic adventure of imperial rivalries at the frozen edge of the world
Tuesday 17 November | 6.30pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Talks and tours | Member events

Flamsteed Astronomy Society masterclass

Join the Flamsteed Astronomy Society for a masterclass in astrophotography image processing with Max Dobres
Tuesday 1 December 2026 | Doors open at 6.30pm, event starts at 7pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE | Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum