BBC Radio 1 presenter Adele Roberts has praised local children who featured her on their World Reimagined globe during a celebration of Black History Month.
The star called into The Atkinson in Southport to take a look at the stunning artwork, which was created by pupils at Christ The King High School working in partnership with Southport Against Racism and Discrimination.
Other icons represented on the globe include Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Mo Salah and Chantelle Lunt.
Adele’s timing was slightly off as she arrived to find the globe packed away ready for a Liverpool City Region wide celebration at St George’s Hall in Liverpool city centre.
But she was delighted with the effort made in her honour!
She said: “I travelled all the way from London to my hometown of Southport to see a globe to celebrate Black History Month and it was packed away in a box ha ha!
“Thank you to the pupils of Christ The King School for including me as part of your Black History Month celebrations.
“I was so honoured, surprised and moved to be involved.
“I am incredibly proud of being from Southport and my Caribbean / Bajan heritage.
“It means so much to me and my family. You’ve made us all happier than you could imagine.”
The globe will be returned to The Atkinson tomorrow and be on public display until the end of the month.
The pupils from Christ The King were among more than 150 schoolchildren from across the Liverpool City Region who celebrated Black History Month at St George’s Hall, Liverpool today (Tuesday 18th October).
The event was part of The World Reimagined, the ground-breaking, UK-wide art education project that uses specially designed globes to change understanding of the transatlantic slave trade and to promote racial justice.
Open to the public, the event brought together 40 learning globes, created by schools and community groups, which examine issues related to race and the ongoing legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, met children and young people from 20 schools, who attended the event with the globes they created.
The World Reimagined project also features 10 large globe structures, created by artists, making up a free public art trail across the Liverpool City Region. The project brings to life the reality and impact of transatlantic slavery and invites the public to think about ways to make racial justice a reality.
The trail has been running from mid-August and will continue until October 22, when all 10 large globes, which have been located around the city region, will be brought together in Paradise Street in Liverpool city centre.
The 41 learning globes, created by 30 schools and 11 community groups, including the one at The Atkinson in Southport, have been available to view at public locations across the Liverpool City Region. All but one of the globes were brought together at St George’s Hall.
The Southport globe showcases figures including: Southport DJ Adele Roberts; Merseyside Black Lives Matter founder Chantelle Lunt; writer and abolitionist Oloudah Equiano; former US President Barack Obama; NASA astronaut Dr Mae Jemison, the first black woman to travel into space; and Liverpool FC star Mo Salah.
The globe in Southport also includes inspirational quotes including: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” (former South African President and anti-Apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela).
Southport Against Racism, in partnership with Southport schools and Sefton Council, is inviting people to a Black History event at The Atkinson in Southport this Saturday (22nd October 2022).
There will be musical performances and talks by black musicians, artists and speakers. There will also be food available.
Tickets are free and available through eventbrite or by emailing southportagainstracismandhate@gmail.com
People can find out more about Southport Against Racism by visiting their website.
The Itinerary for the Free Black History event on Saturday 22nd October is:
- Compere – Rasta Claus will entertain attendees with rapping and jokes in between acts.
- 12pm event start
- 12:10pm: Local youth and faith community to perform poems, songs and drama. Performances from Greenbank, Christ the King and Meols Cop pupils.
- 12:25pm: Performance by violinist Stephanie Murray.
- 12:30pm: Talk by Dr Phil Frampton, broadcaster, researcher, journalist, and author of ‘The Golly in the Cupboard’ and ‘Youth and the Mystery Wall’.
- 12:50pm: Performance by singer-songwriter, Roukaye B.
- 1:05pm: Guest artist
- 1:15pm: Lunch. Attendees can view the World Reimagined sculpture in the foyer of the Atkinson with the creators, Christ the King School. Food is to be provided by Nanny Pearl’s, and the band will play throughout.
- 1:50pm: Talk by Sam P. Jalloh, war survivor, motivational speaker, international professional tennis coach and author of ‘How Tennis Saved My Life’.
- 2:10pm: Performance by professional actress and singer, Sandra Sumner.
- 2:25pm: Performance by guest artist.
- 2:40pm: Choir performance to close.
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