This October, we celebrated Black History Month by highlighting influential Black sportspeople and young members of our LYG33 youth board, who shared their perspectives on the importance of Black History Month, as well as our Board members.

We have celebrated the incredible contributions of Black athletes who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. Chair Geoff Thompson MBE shared “Every young person should have a chance through sport to develop in life, regardless of what they look like, where they come from or what they sound like. I’m committed to seeing a London Youth Games for everyone.” Geoff’s dedication to youth empowerment supports LYG’s mission to make sport accessible to all young Londoners.

Throughout the month, we honoured trailblazing athletes such as Raheem Sterling and Maggie Alphonsi, who began their journeys at the London Youth Games and are strong advocates for diversity and inclusion. We also elevated the voices of young people from our LYG33 group, who shared their reflections on the importance of representation, emphasising that Black History Month is a time to celebrate and inspire.

The month’s activity also included sharing free and accessible educational resources to deepen understanding of Black excellence in sport. The Black Historywise Education Pack, courtesy of Youth Charter, can be downloaded here: https://www.youthcharter.org/black-historywise-exhibition

The month has underscored our commitment to champion diversity, celebrate Black athletes in sport, and highlight the power of sport to inspire change.