SOFIA WHILBY
1. Take us through how you became a co-founder of 948 – when and why did you decide to start the collective?
The girls and I started 948 in 2022 while we were all still in university. We all felt we could creatively contribute something valuable to culture through our ranging lived experiences within the fabric of south London’s Brit(ish) cultural landscape. Our families, whether our parents, grandparents, and even some of us migrated to England at different times, each welcomed by a slightly varied cocktail of social, political, and cultural nuisances that shaped our lives in distinct ways in the years to follow.
We also recognised and, in some cases, experienced a lack of opportunities mixed with a sense of stagnation within the cultural and creative sectors, particularly in the post-COVID environment. So, we took matters into our own hands and came together like the boss babes we are to carve out our own space, and in doing so, created opportunities not just for ourselves but for others too.
2. The name of 948 pays homage to the Windrush Generation – why was it so important for you to nod to this watershed moment in Britain’s history?
Both myself and Lauren are direct descendants of the Windrush generation, so it may seem obvious to say that without them, there would be no us. My grandparents would possibly never have moved to the UK from sunny Jamaica, my dad would then later in his life never have moved to Amsterdam where he met my mum, and subsequently a few years after my younger brother’s birth returned to England with us.
Our name 948 is a deliberate homage to the Windrush Generation, a watershed moment in British history that profoundly shaped the country’s cultural and social landscape. For us, it was crucial to nod to this moment not just as a historical reference, but as a living legacy that continues to influence and inspire us today. The way Black History tends to be depicted can often be hazy or through a lens of tragedy and struggle, overshadowing the love, strength, and resilience that was and still is alive within these communities today. The Windrush story, for example, is frequently told in a way that focuses on the hardships faced when they arrived in Britain rather than how the business began popping up and different iterations of ‘likkle Jamaica’ were formed in areas like Brixton, Notting Hill and others across England. These were spaces of creativity, business, and cultural exchange, and they laid the foundation for much of what we see in British culture today.
By naming our collective 948 after the crowning year of Windrush (1948), we aim to honor its legacy while also challenging the notion that Black British history and multiculturalism began or ended with the Windrush generation. Dropping the ‘1’ from 1948 is symbolic for us; it represents our acknowledgment that Black history is far deeper and broader than this one moment, grounding us in a constant commitment to growth and reflection. It’s our call to action, a reminder that our history and our future are interconnected in an ongoing journey and that we can and will actively work to shape the future of Black British identity and culture.
3. You and the other founders are all of dual heritage and situate multiculturalism at the heart of 948 – at a time of increasing vitriol from the far right towards immigrant communities, what impact do you hope platforms like 948 can have on combatting this?
We along with everybody who is morally in tune are deeply saddened and disgusted by the mob of far-right terrorists blindly targeting immigrant communities. But this is Britain. Talk of a ‘civil war’ (in whichever contemporary context this is inferred) has always circulated, it’s something we as a nation are seemingly and continually on the brink of.
4. It doesn’t go unnoticed how quick these people are to join the onslaught and reach to make vile dehumanising statements, this time under the name of three 3 innocent little girls. How should immigrant communities feel?
Between some of the immigrant population in the UK being invited over by the British Empire and others due to wars this same empire has been complicit in. We hope that at this time and any time going forward (because sadly this will not be the last) 948 will be a truly safe space, where the impact of them and their ancestors’ histories and contributions to England can be felt, learned and celebrated.
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we come together to promote values of respect and inclusion. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and to the memory of those we’ve lost, to build a Britain that is truly a home for all.
5. You highlight your role in 948 as creative strategist, planning and creating something tangible through activations, events, social media campaigns etc. What can people look forward to from 948 in the coming year?
Well, without giving too much away and keeping any potential ‘evil eye’ at bay, we are thrilled to announce that we will soon be opening applications for the (1)948 Windrush Legacies Grant. We first launched the project and began fundraising last year, to mark our first birthday and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush. Designed to commemorate this monumental event and the profound legacy it represents; the grant aims to support one creative or cultural practitioner who is a direct descendant of the Windrush generation. It isn’t just financial aid; it’s a vehicle to platform and celebrate the multi-faceted work of today, ensuring that the legacy of Windrush continues through the voices and talents of a new generation. It has been incredibly rewarding for us to see this initiative take shape, entirely supported by the community we have built and who truly believe in our mission. It feels homegrown, powerful, and authentic.
From September 13-15 we will be taking part in Peckham Festival. Designing and curating an installation in Unit 8 that focuses on gentrification and the lived experiences of long-standing communities in Peckham, documenting and archiving the rapidly changing landscape and capturing stories through our unique lens. The installation will be an immersive experience; encouraging people to engage with the issues faced by the community and be inspired to act. Alongside the installation, we’ll be programming a series of activations within the space, and hopefully create a hub of learning, discussion, and community connection.
Beyond these two exciting projects, the girls and I have for some time now been eager to embark on a mission centred around health and wellbeing, particularly focusing on the sickle cell community and the critical need for more Black blood donors. This is a goal we know will be challenging, given the complexities of our healthcare system. But we are determined to make it happen, and we’re reaching out to anyone working in or with the NHS who might be able to support us in this important endeavour. If that is you, please feel free to give us a shout we’d LOVE to hear from you!
So, in short, expect to see us continuing to push boundaries, creating spaces and opportunities for real, impactful change, striving to honour the histories of the past, empowering our communities, and building a future that reflects the values and experiences that make up multicultural Britain.
6. How does your background in architectural design contribute to your work at 948?
During my time studying architecture, I found myself not just focused on the physical aspects of designing spaces but deeply drawn to the cultural and social dimensions of architecture. I continually and somewhat irresistibly threw myself into projects and initiatives that extended beyond the traditional frameworks of design – focusing on creating a larger cultural impact through creative strategy and place-making. I became involved in campaigning against the disruptive nature of regeneration projects in my home, south east London, where I saw firsthand how inconsiderate redevelopment could erode the cultural fabric of communities.
This experience shaped my approach to conceptualising space – not just as a physical environment but as a vessel for legacy, history, and honour. I began to see space as something that could be designed to reflect the stories and identities of the people who inhabit it.
The title ‘cultural architect’ feels, driven by a pull toward people and their stories rather than just the refinement of the built environment. This perspective has influenced my work at 948, where we focus on campaigning for and creating spaces that resonate with cultural significance. My background in spatial projects, technical thinking, and mapping allows me to easily navigate the early stages of conceptualisation to the final delivery of a project. Fusing technical precision with cultural sensitivity to create spaces that are not only functional but deeply meaningful to the communities they serve.
7. What role do you see 948 having in educating the younger generations about the history of immigrant communities and about the importance of celebrations like Notting Hill Carnival?
We see our role in educating younger generations about the history of immigrant communities and the importance of celebrations like Notting Hill Carnival as absolutely vital. We’ve always believed that our purpose lies in exploring our collective histories, embodying our present realities, and envisioning the paths that lie ahead. What will the world look like in 2048? 100 years on from the arrival of the Windrush generation what can we do to shape this? Our mission is deeply rooted in the understanding that we can’t move forward without fully grasping where we’ve come from.
Educating younger generations is about more than just sharing facts or recounting events; it’s about immersing them in the stories, experiences, and cultural expressions that have shaped our communities. Notting Hill Carnival isn’t just a massive street party it is a living, breathing testament to the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Caribbean and wider immigrant communities in Britain. These events are a celebration of culture, but they also carry the weight of history, representing the triumphs and struggles of those who paved the way for future generations.
We want to show them that the history of immigrant communities is not just a chapter in a book; it’s an ongoing narrative that they are a part of. We hope that by educating we can also inspire younger generations to take ownership of their cultural heritage.
