Announcing The Wake Youth Engagement Pilot cohort

We’re proud to introduce the 10 young people selected for The Wake Youth Engagement Pilot, delivered in partnership with the Mayor of London.

This new programme brings together a cohort of emerging young leaders from across East London to help shape how young people connect with The Wake — a powerful new memorial honouring the millions of Africans who were enslaved and trafficked during the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans (TTEA), and their descendants. The Wake is being delivered by the Mayor of London.

Selected through an open application process, the cohort reflects a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and communities:

• Muhammad Habib (Tower Hamlets)
• Faith Buffong (Hackney)
• Simran Sehmbi (Waltham Forest)
• Abdulkadir Aweis (Newham)
• Joyce Tang (Newham)
• Devontaye Jordan Ferrol-Mison (Newham)
• Eni-Fome Owuasu (Hackney)
• Carlton Fontaine-Nowell (Tower Hamlets)
• Nikolaos Eyindah Woke (Hackney)
• Janessa Murray (Waltham Forest)

Over the coming months, participants will take part in paid training, planning and delivery sessions. Together, they will explore questions around history, memorialisation and learning — and co-create sessions designed for other young people.

At its core, the programme is about ensuring young voices are not only included, but actively shaping how The Wake is understood, experienced and shared.

By centring youth leadership and lived experience, The Wake Youth Engagement Pilot is building a space for reflection, dialogue and creative expression — led by the next generation.

We look forward to sharing more as the cohort begins their journey.