Black History Month x AFC Wimbledon Foundation
AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Leads, Chloe Turner and Lana Miller, visited our Holiday Activity Fund Programmes and AFC Wimbledon Academy, to help the participants learn more about Black History Month.
The workshop explored Black History Month, from its origins as a single week in America started by Carter G Woodson, expanding to a month and taking place in the UK for the first time in 1987, arranged by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.
The groups also celebrated black history in the UK, with a football focus, learning about Walter Tull, who was the first black officer to command white troops in the British Army and one of English Football’s first black players. For a more modern day perspective, they considered what the England Men’s team would look like without immigration, noting that only 3 members of the Euros starting 11 would play.
One of the boys on the workshop was Academy Goalkeeper Charlie, who is in the Under 14s and has been at AFC Wimbledon for 5 years. Charlie was a fantastic participant in the session, contributing throughout. His biggest takeaway was on the fallout from Euro 2020, learning that players feel that “You are English when you win, black when you lose”.
Charlie has been at AFC Wimbledon for 5 years
Charlie enjoys challenging himself within the Academy, by playing against older players, but also enjoys sessions where he can work with boys from younger age groups so he can support them further.
At our October HAF Programme, 11 year old Lucas was active in the icebreaker, where participants had to use their communication an determination skills to get to know each other better.
Lucas speaks three languages: Spanish, Portuguese and English
Lucas was curious to learn more in the workshop, particularly about the HMS Windrush which lead to the name of the Windrush Generation. Lucas had not been aware that so many people have travelled to the UK from the Caribbean to help rebuild post-war Britain.
This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.
AFC Wimbledon’s Academy boys learning more about Black History Month