Everton Football Club has joined anti-racism charity the Anthony Walker Foundation’s You Cannot Be What You Cannot See campaign to help showcase and celebrate leaders from the region’s black community.
Running throughout Black History Month this October, You Cannot Be What You Cannot See - which features Everton defender Mason Holgate - celebrates the present and aims to inspire future black leaders from Merseyside.
The campaign will showcase images of change-makers on digital screens across the city and on social media, alongside a piece of advice they would give to their younger self.
Everton defender Holgate features in the campaign and has shared this piece of advice: “I was brought up to believe that anything was possible if you were prepared to work hard and make sacrifices and I am encouraged by the global movement to affect change for the better. You deserve the same opportunities as anybody, your accomplishments – passing exams, gaining a new qualification, whatever they are – should be recognised and rewarded.
“Always treat people with grace and respect but never allow anybody to tell you that you cannot achieve your goals in life. Have the courage to be yourself and pursue your dreams with all your heart. Celebrate your heritage and be proud of who you are.”
Louise Price, a Management Accountant at Everton who plays for Sporting Khalsa Women and coaches youth football, also appears in the campaign.
Louise’s advice is: “If you have a passion, trying to fulfil it may come with challenges but never stop showing interest, it can lead to an abundance of opportunities.”
Louise’s message comes from her own experience of exploring different roles which ultimately led to her dream job at Everton, which she says allows her to combine her love of football with her interest in, and talent for, numbers.
She said: “For me it’s a massive cause to be involved in, and knowing that Everton do hire people of colour and getting that message out there is important, and if it means that more people of colour will come into the sports industry, then it’s a win-win situation.
“I’m working in accountancy but in one of the most exciting environments I could imagine. My job isn’t just about staring at spreadsheets all day but I’m also making a real difference by advising Everton Women and Everton Academy on financial decisions that shape their future success. If I can play a part in encouraging people and showing young black people exploring their careers that you can hold high profile jobs in the sports industry, that means a lot.”
Louise Price, a Management Accountant at Everton
Liverpool City Council social worker Maleka Egeonu-Roby and the city’s first black Lord Mayor, Cllr Anna Rothery, also appear in the campaign, alongside members of Liverpool’s creative industries and those making waves in professional services and sectors including politics and law.
The Anthony Walker Foundation was established after the racially motivated murder of Anthony Walker in Huyton, 2005. Since then the organisation has worked to promote racial justice, diversity and inclusion and runs a support service for those who have experienced hate crimes across the region.
Ben Osu, strategy lead for the Anthony Walker Foundation, said: “The whole point of the campaign was to highlight some of the amazing work and achievements of some of our local black people in order to inspire the next generation. We need to promote positive role models in all industries so that young black people growing up can see and hear from people who look like them in the industries and jobs they may want to go into - accountants, entrepreneurs, politicians and footballers.”
More information on AWF’s ‘You Cannot Be What You Cannot See’ campaign is available at
https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/To learn more about Black History Month visit https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/
