LIVERPOOL.- Two inspiring exhibitions are opening at the International Slavery Museum this summer: Trafficked from 31 July 2009 to February 2010 and Black Britannia from 7 August 2009 to 28 February 2010.

Both of these thought-provoking exhibitions highlight continued issues in the realm of human and social injustice over 200 years since the abolition of the British slave trade.

Trafficked
31 July 2009 to February 2010

Trafficked is a community exhibition of contemporary photographs highlighting the on-going struggle to combat human trafficking around the world.

Through interactive aids and human stories the exhibition reveals the struggle of people whose lives have been affected by this modern-day slave trade, as well as demonstrating the continuing global work to stop it.

Human trafficking is a global issue and millions of men, women and children are being treated as commodities - something to be bought, sold and enslaved.

It is the fastest growing form of organised crime and one of the largest money earners for criminals, and the exhibition highlights cases where people have been trafficked into forced labour, sexual exploitation, street begging, credit card fraud and cannabis cultivation.

This exhibition has been produced in partnership with STOP THE TRAFFIK, a global movement of over 1,000 organisations working together to address the problems of human trafficking.

Black Britannia
7 August 2009 to 28 February 2010

Black Britannia showcases 30 inspirational portraits of Black Britons by photographer John Ferguson, celebrating their contribution to British culture and public life over the last few decades.

Surgeons, teachers and fire-fighters feature alongside celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, Frank Bruno, Charlie Williams and Ms Dynamite.

Each photograph demonstrates the individual’s strength of character and determination to succeed in their chosen field, establishing them as someone to look up to. A broad range of professions are represented and the portraits include comedian Gina Yashere, jockey Royston French, singer Estelle and firewoman Vicky Henry.

Black achiever’s from Liverpool are also represented in the exhibition. Including boxer John Conteh, who was the first British boxer to hold the World Light Heavyweight crown in 25 years, and Gloria Hyatt, founder of the country’s first independent school to cater for Black and racial minority pupils and Liverpool’s first Black headteacher.

Ferguson’s vision for his photography is to inspire Britain’s Black youth in a society where he believes the kinds of Black role-models people grow up with are almost entirely negative.

Ferguson said: “Growing up, I had my own heroes who helped me challenge prejudice in my own life - individuals like Charlie Williams, John Conteh, Joan Armatrading and Bill Morris all included here. This exhibition is my own attempt to give something to the next generation of young Black people.”