This year also includes a campaign encouraging people of all ages to share what they are ‘proud to be’ on social media.
Wolves Foundation are once again involved with highlighting Black History Month alongside similar initiatives and coverage being provided by Wolves.
When the first team squad faced the camera for their annual photocall, they were also pictured with ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ posters, promoting the work of the charity which educates against discrimination throughout society.
The Foundation have also been involved in several different initiatives highlighting Black History Month.
“Across all Foundation activities, we aim to be as inclusive as possible all the year around, but Black History Month gives us an opportunity to focus on the positive contributions made by black people through history and a reminder of the importance of stamping out all forms of discrimination,” says Jonathan Warburton, education and skills manager with Wolves Foundation.
“Across the different ages of pupils at the schools we support and other Foundation activities, staff are delivering specialist activity around Black History Month and generating discussion about positive role models with stories to inspire young people.”
One workshop led by Matt Elcock and Odi Douglas has already taken place at The Way Youth Zone where participants were encouraged to think about their black role models and the reasons why they admire them.
‘Trailblazer’ sessions are being delivered in primary and secondary schools with pupils celebrating diversity by developing profiles on the first black players to have represented Wolves, as well as learning about other sportspeople and achievers from the city of Wolverhampton.
A free online workshop was also delivered online for any interested schools focusing on the history of Black History Month, how football is supporting the campaign and stories around role models alongside the overall ‘Proud to Be’ theme.
This also included a poster competition where students came up with their own designs on a ‘Proud to Be’ subject.
The Foundation are also linking up with Show Racism The Red Card for a virtual event involving three partner schools with an hour’s workshop then being followed up in the New Year with an event set to involve Wolves’ players and academy scholars.
Meanwhile, the Foundation’s Inclusion & Cohesion department have also organised a Kicks tournament taking place at the Arena at Aldersley on Friday, October 29th.
Different groups and partner organisations have been invited to the tournament which will include a focus around Black History Month.
This will also feature a martial arts workshop delivered by the InPower Academy, who follow similar principles to Kicks in using their activities to provide them a range of skills based around discipline.
Premier League Kicks is a project which uses the power of football to engage young people and bring communities together and welcomes participants of different backgrounds and cultures to the weekly sessions.
“Our Kicks group offers a really positive example of diversity in action with young people from across the community coming together to enjoy their football,” says Luke Shearing, inclusion and cohesion manager.
“The sessions are always really lively and energetic and we thought that a tournament would provide a fitting way to round off Black History Month.”
The Foundation and club’s work to encourage diversity and inclusion and reduce discrimination will continue all the year around with Wolves recently signing the Muslim athletes’ charter to support Muslim men and women in sport.
The Foundation are following the same steps and processes including providing areas for students involved in education courses to pray whilst studying at Molineux or the training ground.
The Foundation are also setting up a participant-led equality group, mirroring one already in place with staff, which will include contributions from younger people offering their thoughts and ideas and what they would like to see from the charity’s activities.
