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Winning designs of black heroes by Merseyside pupils to be displayed at Liverpool International Slavery Museum for Black History Month

Winning student

by October 22, 2024 · All News / Primary School News

Merseyside Police recently teamed up with Everton in the Community (EitC) and the Liverpool Football Club (LFC) Foundation to offer a special football experience for five schools, as part of its annual Black History Month art competition. 

The competition, now in its fourth year, is an opportunity for pupils to learn about Black History Month and to celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. It enables the local police force to engage with young people on a different level, helping to improve relationships by building trust and confidence.  

This year’s theme was ‘Unsung Heroes’, where the students were asked to design a poster of a black role model, past or present, who they found inspirational or heroic. 33 schools from each region of Merseyside took part, with over 70 entries submitted. 

On Wednesday (16 October), the five winners from each area and their classmates were invited to visit both football stadiums.

They attended Anfield to hear from Merseyside Police representatives, who included: the Anthony Walker Foundation; Liverpool City Council, and LFC player and ambassador Natasha Dowie.

The pupils then headed over to EitC’s Campus, where Everton star, Roman Dixon, joined them and participated in football drills and skills’ sessions run by the charity’s Premier League Primary Stars delivery staff. 

  • St Bartholomew’s Catholic Primary School, St Helen’s
    • All Saints Catholic Primary School, Sefton
    •  Lawrence Community Primary School, Liverpool  
    • St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Knowsley
    • Liscard Primary School, Wirral

    In addition to the stadium trip, the winning designs will also be displayed at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool as part of its Black History Month celebrations.

    Inspector Az Rahman, from the Merseyside Police’s community engagement team, said: “Running this annual competition is not only a great way to inspire our young people of the contributions and achievements of black role models in our communities and beyond, but it also provides a positive way for us to engage with a younger age group that we don’t often come into contact with.  

    “Being able to interact with the students on days like today means we can help give them the confidence to speak to us in the future but also help to educate them on the different types of roles available within the police, maybe even inspiring future career options for them.   

    “This year’s competition has been more popular than ever and so I would like to sincerely thank all of our partners: Liverpool Foundation; Everton In The Community; Tranmere Football Club; the Anthony Walker Foundation; each of the region’s local authorities, and finally the International Slavery Museum for each coming on board and offering their support.  

    “Working together, we have been able to offer something special for the students and offer something that will hopefully be really different and memorable for them.”

    Everton in the Community’s primary school and early years programme manager, Olivia Cardwell, explained the importance of giving young people the opportunity to learn about Black History Month.  She said: “Black History Month is a vital opportunity to educate and inspire young people by highlighting the significant contributions of black individuals, both past and present.

    “Through initiatives like this, we aim to provide students with not only an understanding of black heritage and culture, but also the chance to reflect on the values of inclusivity and respect.”

    Dionne Johnson, equality, diversity and inclusion department manager at LFC Foundation, said: “We’d like to welcome all of today’s young people to Anfield to learn about the history and Black heritage in our communities.

    “By working alongside Merseyside Police, Everton In The Community, Tranmere Rovers In The Community, the Anthony Walker Foundation, the International Slavery Museum and our local authorities, we’ve been able to deliver a wonderful competition and an engaging day that will leave these young people with some amazing memories.

    “It is important for us to use occasions like today to highlight the achievements of some amazing Black role models from across Liverpool City Region and beyond to inspire children from a young age.

    “As the official charity of Liverpool Football Club, we’re proud to have former LFC player John Barnes act as an ambassador for the Club and World Champion athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson as an ambassador for the foundation.”

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