Description
- Abstract:
- Oral history video with Michelle Peterkin-Walker and her mother Victoria (Vicky) Walker, recorded at Victoria’s home in Liverpool 8 (Toxteth). They discuss Windrush/Caribbean family roots and long residence in L8; Victoria’s childhood in Jamaica and migration (1960s); Michelle’s creative/activist work (Sojourner Productions, Akoma Arts, Granby Winter Garden, Liverpool African Diaspora Film Network) and DNA-traced Tikar (Cameroon) ancestry. The interview reflects on Liverpool’s transatlantic slavery legacies—city wealth, racism, gentrification, intergenerational trauma, embodied memories at the docks—alongside community resistance, women’s roles, carnival, libation/Pocomania, and local figures such as Dorothy Kuya. The views and opinions expressed by the speaker(s) do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Global Curatorial Project, Brown University, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the project's institutional partners. For questions or concerns please contact library staff at [email protected] or +1-401-863-2146.
- Notes:
- Immediate form of acquisition: A2025-025
- Biographical/historical note: Michelle Peterkin-Walker is of Jamaican heritage. Michelle is a socially engaged visual artist, activist and filmmaker. Born and raised in L8, with over 25 years experiences working in community arts and documenting activities that bring visibility to African Diasporic Community in Liverpool. As a digital artist, her practice combines design, filmmaking and photography to create digital artworks. Taking inspiration from people, places, symbols within African history and culture. From 2019 she has been engaged in social history activities, exploring Black Archives to promote and catalogue cultural activities from Liverpool's Black Community. Social history/Archiving projects are websites Liverpool Black Archive Hub https://lbah.co.uk and Yore Lens on L8 https://yorelensonl8.co.uk. In partnership with University of Liverpool, she produced a Black Activism documentary for Hidden Histories project. In 2022 she founded LADFN (Liverpool African Diasporic Filmmakers Network) a collective of Filmmakers, Creatives, Practitioners and Social Entrepreneurs that centre black identity in their work and/or who use film in their practice. Aiming to connect Black creative communities and enhance the Black creative presence in the city. Commissioned by Culture Liverpool (2023/4) to host Black History Month events - Liverpool Black Archive Hub and Shadow/Carnival. 2023 curatorial residency with Granby Winter Garden centred on African Oral History project exploring local heritage. From 2022 she’s gravitated to sharing insights about her practise via talks and presentations with Liverpool Slavery Museum, Tate Liverpool, Centre for Study of International Slavery, Knowsley Council etc. Currently she is working with Decolonising The Archive (DTA) to become an Ancestral Remains Ethical Rights Enabler. Victoria Elizabeth Walker was born in St.Mary in Jamaica in 1952 and was raised by her Grandmother and Great Grandmother until she came to join her father in Liverpool at the age of 10. Victoria arrived in April 1963 and was shocked to find the weather so cold. By the time Victoria was 12, she was moved to a convent school and was raised in the care of Nums until 13, when she was transferred to a boarding school, Beechwood in Aigburth. At the age of 15, Victoria moved back into her Fathers home and finished her education at Wellington Road School in Park Road, Toxteth. Victoria left school at 16 years of age and began work at 'Libro', as a sewing machinist. Victoria also worked in the NHS as a cleaner and for BUPA as a care worker. She also ran a shop called the 'Dutchpot' and had several factory jobs, including being a welder. Victoria has 4 children, who she raised on her own and now has 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Victoria describes her life as interesting.
- Michelle Peterkin-Walker and Victoria Walker Oral History Interview, Global Curatorial Project: Unfinished Conversations oral histories and records, Ms.2022.010, Brown University Library
- Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)
Access Conditions
- Use and Reproduction
- The duplication and reproduction of materials in this collection outside of Brown University, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and project partner institutions requires the written consent from the interviewee or their assignee. Please contact the John Hay Library at [email protected] or +1401-863-2146 with any inquires.
- Rights
- This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
- Restrictions on Use
- Collection is open for research.
Citation
Brown University. Ruth J Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, and National Museum of African American History and Culture (U.S.),
"Michelle Peterkin-Walker and Victoria Walker Oral History Interview"
(2025).
GCP Liverpool.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:ga5rwpxs/
Relations
Has Parts:
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Michelle Peterkin-Walker and Victoria Walker Oral History Interview
- Type: Stream
- Order: 1
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Michelle Peterkin-Walker and Victoria Walker Transcript
- Type: Transcript
- Order: 1a
