Michelle Charters: Why I accepted an OBE

In 2024, Michelle Charters, Head of International Slavery Museum, was awarded an OBE for services to the community in Liverpool, in The King's Birthday Honours list. The honours system “…celebrates people who go above and beyond to change the world around them for the better”.

The Order of the British Empire was established by King George V in 1917 to honour those who had served in a non-combative role and expanded the Order to reward contributions to the arts, sciences, charitable work and public service. ‘OBE’ stands for ‘Officer of the Order of the British Empire’.

At National Museums Liverpool, we acknowledge that the term ‘Empire’ is problematic because of its links to Britain’s violent imperial past and the debate around its use in recognition of achievements needs to continue.  As part of having these debates, it’s important to look at all sides and reflect on the reasons behind an individual’s decision to accept an award of this kind.

When Michelle accepted the OBE, this divided opinion and her decision was widely debated on social media. We caught up with Michelle to talk about why she accepted this award.

You have been awarded an OBE for your work in Liverpool’s Black community over the last 40 years. Can you tell us more about that and the changes you’ve seen in the city?

There have been lots of changes over the last 40 years, especially with access to sectors and opportunities that historically were not open to the Black community in the 1980s. We were being excluded from key learning and employment opportunities in the city, which had been built on its involvement in transatlantic slavery and this horrendous trade.

As a teenager, I was supported and guided by my peers - I learned a lot from them. They were instrumental in ensuring that there was a plethora of community support services,  activism by individuals and steering groups. This helped us to understand the history of transatlantic slavery, the constructs of racism, discrimination in the city and its ongoing impact to this day.  

Since then, through the Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre and Liverpool Black Sisters, myself and many others worked extremely hard to access the different sectors, share information and opportunities to start to break down those barriers. Today, we have a community that has a lot to offer and whom the sectors have a lot to learn from, especially regarding the cultural-specific requirements of the long-standing diverse communities that make up our city.

International Slavery Museum exists to uncover the truth about transatlantic slavery and promote the resistance of enslaved Africans. As the Head of International Slavery Museum, why did you choose to accept this Order of the British Empire award?

I do recognise the significance of being a Liverpool-born Black woman, accepting an OBE. The OBE is for the work in the community over the past 40 years that consistently addressed inequalities and introduced opportunities for the Black community.

Accepting it while in this new museum role, does not go against the work or vision of ISM. This is focused on continuing to uncover transatlantic slavery via its objects, the content of its stories and through the partnerships made over the decades.

What is important here is the work and making meaningful change, which is possible once you have ‘a seat at the table’. You can make changes by taking that seat, influencing that table, opening that door and sharing that opportunity with others.

You can create change with information, because information is power. By taking the right approach, by being sensible and not angry and using true grit and determination, you can bring about change in the thinking of those who don’t fully understand or who may even be scared to tackle the subject of racism or discrimination.

I will use this award as an opportunity for my community’s progress and for the continuation of the truth of our story. It will further strengthen my impact to reclaim and provide a platform for others so we can share discussions and debates around these important subjects.

Did you feel any conflict in accepting the award?

It was a surprise when I received the news and I did take some time to think, before I accepted it. I thought back to my memory of being an 18-year-old, who may not have accepted an award. ‘Young Michelle’ was angry at the exclusion, the discrimination and the pain, that I and so many felt in this city.

Later in life, after fighting many fights, I’ve learned that the only way we can change anything is by listening, learning and acting, while still incorporating individual strength, resilience and resistance.

This award made me realise that no title could change the actions of that 18-year-old who started her journey of community activism in the Charles Wootton Centre. Today, she is still doing what she set out to do.

In the end, my decision about the award was led by those closest to me - my two daughters and brother.

My daughters told me that I should take it because they had shared me with the community all of their lives.  This was a hard truth, hearing that they had lost so much time with their mum, due to the long working hours for all the meetings and events that I needed to attend over the last 40 years. So ultimately, accepting the award was for them.

There was quite a backlash on social media, with criticism of you accepting the award. How did this affect you?

At first, I totally understood when people showed their anger as the ‘Head of International Slavery Museum’ accepting an award called Order of the British Empire. But then I was frustrated by the condemnation. I just thought, “You obviously don’t know me or my work over the decades”, which is what the award is for.  For me and for those who know me, the fact is, no title will change the way I work, think or act on behalf of my community.

I have always had an open-door policy. I don’t judge people, especially those who I don’t know.  I am happy to have a face to face with anyone who wants to know the reasoning of why I do what I do, or what I have achieved in my journey over the decades. After that conversation they can have their opinion of me - it will either be the same or in some instances it may change.

There have been so many Black people who I admire and respect who have accepted this or similar accolades.  I also understood the reasoning of the many who had declined. In both instances, I did not make a judgement on them.
 

What do you want to see happen in the future with these kinds of awards?

I would like to see the word ‘Empire’ changed to ‘Excellence’. Not that I’m saying I’m excellent - in my case OBE stands for ‘Old Battered Elder’. I want to see more people proud of their achievements personally and to feel the warmth when work is recognised.

If what I have gone through this year - the great ups and the little down - helps support the many who thrive for change in a world that is harsh and where we continue to fight for justice, peace and recognition, then I would do it a thousand times over to ensure opportunities and the truth of our existence, our journeys and our impact.