Everton has shone the spotlight on inclusivity as a running theme throughout Black History Month.
Throughout October, the Club and its charitable arm, Everton in the Community, openly participated in a series of events and activities to highlight the importance of raising awareness, education, and promotion of black issues across football and in everyday life.
First Team players were at the forefront of the month-long celebration, while the club continued their support of Liverpool charity, The Anthony Walker Foundation, and their ‘You Cannot Be What You Cannot See’ campaign.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s involvement in the high-impact movement included an image and quote from the striker, which was displayed on digital screens across the cities of Liverpool, Sheffield, and Manchester - and on social media - with the Everton striker quoted: “You can be anything you want in the world, if you invest everything you have into achieving it, regardless of how you look or the colour of your skin”.
Calvert-Lewin also took part in an interview with Sky Sports for a Black History Month ‘Heroes’ series, featuring several Premier League players, including Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, Paul Pogba of Manchester United and West Ham United’s Michail Antonio.
In the interview, Calvert-Lewin spoke about the influence his father has had on his life and career, with a shorter edit interview being played out ahead of kick-off in Sky Sports’ live coverage of Everton v West Ham United. To watch Calvert-Lewin’s interview click here.
Andros Townsend also took part in two activities across the month, including an interview as part of the Premier League’s ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign, which focuses on tackling racism, embracing diversity and the importance of education.
The Premier League published a written article and video edit on their official website and social media channels, which can be accessed here.
Townsend also joined an array of guest speakers for Everton in the Community’s Premier League Inspires Black History Month event.
The day saw more than 100 year nine and 10 pupils from schools across Merseyside come together at Everton in the Community’s The Blue Base to celebrate black heritage and raise awareness of how communities can create a better and more inclusive society, as part of the International acclaimed month of observance.
Pupils from Savio Salesian College, Calderstones High School, Litherland High, Alsop High, Maricourt High and Everton Free School took part in a number of workshops throughout the day, listening to inspiring stories from various guest speakers, including Townsend, who participated in a live question and answer session.
All schools represented on the day work alongside Everton in the Community through the charity’s PL Inspires programme, which works in targeted priority schools across Merseyside to raise aspirations, attainment and attendance as well as promoting positive societal messages.
Alongside Townsend, the day played host to John Williams, Head of Hate Crime Service at the Anthony Walker Foundation and the first Black Detective Chief Inspector in Merseyside Police, Uche Ihiekwe, Wirral Community Fire Station Manager, and Ngunan Adamu, Producer and Presenter for BBC Radio Merseyside and CEO and Founder of iWoman.
To find out more about the Community’s Premier League Inspires Black History Month event, click here.
Everton also included a number of columns in matchday programmes, including a piece written by Calvert-Lewin and an interview with former Blues defender Earl Barrett and reflections on the career of Cliff Marshall, who was the first black player to play for Everton back in 1975.
To read the interview with Barrett, please click here.
Fans can now also listen to a special podcast series compiled to promote Black History Month which includes interviews with former Everton players Kevin Campbell, Fern Whelan, Cliff Marshall, and James Vaughan.
To listen to the first podcast in the series featuring Kevin Campbell, click here.
