Reflections on the memorial of Marika Sherwood

On the 14th April 2025, myself and a few other YHP members attended the memorial of a longtime friend of YHP, collaborator and pioneer Marika Sherwood. A stalwart advocate for the teaching of what we now know today as Black British history, Marika’s reach was reflected in the sheer number of people that filled the room in the CLR James Library in Dalston.

The audience at the memorial

We shared with each other stories about how she had impacted our lives. Marika’s passing earlier this year was a shock to us all, as we had interviewed her in late 2024, and she continued to correspond with us right up until her death.

Nevertheless, the event was intended to be a celebration of Marika’s life and work, and what better way to do so than through her own words. In preparation for the event, I edited together a fourteen-minute long cut of the forty minute interview we conducted with Marika to show at the event.

Prior to this, however, the evening was opened by YHP consultant historian (and longtime colleague of Marika’s) Hakim Adi, who had organised the event at Marika’s request - a testament to her organisation. Hakim introduced Marika’s granddaughter, Kim, who shared with us some incredibly heartwarming memories on behalf of their family. Kim spoke of Marika’s kindness, dedication to justice and warmth. A particularly touching anecdote shared by Kim recounted how Marika taught her how to swim, reflecting as Kim put it, how Marika kept all of us ‘afloat’ in a way.

Hakim Adi, YHP's consultant historian, speaking during the memorial

After a few more dedications from longstanding colleagues and friends, I introduced the interview excerpt. Although it was only fourteen minutes long, it took me a considerable amount of time to curate, cut, and edit with the help of A.S. Francis and Hakim. And I hoped it would be well received by Marika’s family and friends.

Me introducing the video

To our delight, hearing Marika share her experiences through the interview - from growing up as a Hungarian Jew amidst Nazi persecution, to teaching young Black children in London and fighting the government with BASA (the Black and Asian Studies Association) - was met with laughter, tears and smiles. Marika’s attending family were also particularly moved by the video, which to me made the hours of effort beyond worth it.

Following on were more dedications from Marika’s peers celebrating her contributions on a national level through organisations like BASA, right the way to the personal level, for example letting someone use her house to study for exams. The event as a whole captured Marika in her totality, with the overriding message being that the work was far from complete, and that organisations such as the Young Historians Project must continue to take up the mantle and continue the struggle in Marika’s stead.