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Tessa Sanderson archive photograph
One Night Exhibition BGO & MoD

The Tessa
Sanderson Story

Breaking Boundaries — 1st October 2026

A compelling collection of photographs celebrating Tessa's golden journey — from emigration and early struggle to Olympic glory and a legacy still being built.

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About This Event

A golden journey, told in full

This exhibition brings together a compelling collection of photographs that celebrate Tessa's golden journey — a unique lens through which to explore present-day issues by reflecting on a life of triumph.

It traces her emigration from Jamaica to Britain, the struggles of her early teenage years, and the social and financial obstacles she overcame on the way to glory. It follows her through the competition years, when she fought for recognition and a fair shot on the world stage.

And it continues beyond the track — into life after sport, her family, her charitable work, and the new sense of purpose she has built beyond athletics. Tessa's legacy is one of unshakable determination, breaking barriers, and overcoming adversity: a true testament to an unbreakable spirit.

Key Objectives

what the evening delivers

A one-night private viewing exhibition that exemplifies the type of stories that Museum of Diversityworks to amplify in immersive and innovative experiences.

01

Reveal

Unveil the exhibition to press, partners, and the public in a single evening.

02

Convene

Bring corporates, government, schools, and community leaders into one room.

03

Fund

Support the live auction and wider public programme through the evening's proceeds.

04

Launch

Open the door to the school and public programmes that follow.

Programme Schedule

One evening, six moments

1st October 2026
5:00 – 5:30pm
Press Reception
Tessa Sanderson, MoD & BGO
6:00 – 7:00pm
Drinks Reception
Guests arrive & performance by Saxophonist Henry Knudsen
7:00 – 7:30pm
Welcome & Exhibition
Troy Richards, Kuku Richards, Tessa Sanderson & Alexander Morris
7:30 – 8:30pm
Short Film & PERFORMANCE
Official opening of exhibition and youth performance.
8:30 – 9:00pm
Featured Individuals & Auction
Supporting stories and fundraising auction
9:00 – 9:30pm
Acknowledgement & Closing
 
Join Us

amplifying untold stories

An exhibition, a programme, and a partnership pipeline — built around a story that's still being written.

Beyond the Night

Two ways the exhibition keeps working

The one-night event is the launch — not the whole story. Two ongoing programmes carry it forward through the autumn.

School Programme

An 8-week tour for partner schools

A 60-minute tour of the exhibition offered to schools — including Westminster, Southwark, and Lambeth — run across 8 weeks, three groups a day, five days a week.

Download link here
Private/Corporate Booking

Exhibition Opened from Oct–Nov

If you have a group that would like to view the exhibition privately, contact us

Download link here