As a follow-up to Black History Month, artists, YouTubers, fashion designers and representatives of other industries from the Black community, passed on their careers advice and words of wisdom to the young people. The event also featured performances from singers Francesca and Misha B.

 

Manchester United legend Wes Brown opened the event with a Q&A about his own career and experiences of when he was a young footballer. He said: “There’s a lot of people in different areas of work that have come in to speak and I was one of them. It was good; I really enjoyed it.”

 

After a successful pilot event last year, students aged 14 and 15 across ten partner schools rotated around the careers carousel engaging with professionals from a variety of sectors. The event, which aimed to increase the awareness of opportunities in a range of industries, was very-much enjoyed by Ashlie, aged 14 from Whalley Range High School. She said: “You don't see a lot of black people who are head of this and head of that. It's very empowering for me; I've seen other people that have done it, so I can as well. For me, the thing that definitely stood out was the podcast; I didn't know you could make a career out of that.”

 

David, 14, from The East Manchester Academy (TEMA) also celebrated the event, saying: “The colour of your skin is not a disadvantage, you can be whatever you aspire to be. Dream on!”

 

Classmate Malik, 14, echoed this: “It's empowering for me to know that black people can come together and create such a great event, and really have fun and inspire young people.”

 

Guests from across Manchester and the UK were able to not only talk about their career pathways but their experiences throughout. Troy Condor, Manchester United Academy Development Coach and Scout, said: “Growing up as a young black youth in Manchester, I have gone through quite a few difficulties in different environments and having different barriers, so for me to give some insight of what I went through and where I am now, I think it’s quite an inspiration for them and sets a few good examples.”

 

Osvaldo Borges, fashion designer, said: “Seeing people like artists, fashion designers, dancers, other creatives, it makes it known that there are other avenues people like myself can take. Manchester United as a brand is doing stuff like this; it just shows that they are not ignorant to just football – they actually care about the community.”

 

On why he masterminded the event, Luke Ross, high school partnership officer at Manchester United Foundation, said: “We have a relationship with so many primary schools and high schools around

Manchester, so with the badge, the name, the brand, it's important that we're spreading the message.”