On Wednesday 20^th January, the Belfast Charitable Society officially launched its Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, whose main objectives are to celebrate her life and build on her legacy.

The Society were delighted to have secured the BAFTA award winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga as the key note speaker- straight from his ‘Talk with President Obama’. Professor Olusoga spoke on the ‘Legacies of Slavery’- a subject he has extensively researched, written and broadcasted on for many years.

The event was chaired by Belfast Charitable Society President, Sir Ronnie Weatherup, and attended by nearly 400 guests from Ireland and further afield.

The launch marked the start of a programme of work which embodies the ethos of Mary Ann herself. The Foundation will encourage and facilitate projects and conversations, which get to the heart of the causes she championed, in the 21st century.

Watch the full talk on the Legacies of Slavery on the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation page