The Stadium Speaks: Meet the people that bring our poem to life | OneFootball

To celebrate Black History Month, we commissioned a poem by Lemn Sissay OBE to reflect the club’s journey from Maine Road to today, celebrating the influential black figures who have helped bring us here.

We asked voices from across the club to read the poem and asked them to share what it meant to be involved.

Amongst them was Tolu Gbadegesin, who works as a software engineer. He said he was honoured to be involved in the reading of the poem with a message that resonated with him.

"I think the poem was great," he said. “It reemphasises the sense of unity - ‘one stands we all stand’ those lines kind again emphasise the fact that, collectively, we're all one.

“I don't think there should be any sense of disunity amongst communities just because of the background you’re from or the way that you work or who you are as a person, who you identify with.”

Tolu also expressed how important it is to celebrate black voices, not only just for October but to continue the conversation all year around.

“I think having a month dedicated to it, it's so important,” he added.

“I think having black voices that have really done great things in the world and giving them the platform to speak out about their background and their story, I think it's great and I think hopefully more of it can be done.”

Also lending his voice was Pete Bradshaw, the club’s Director of Sustainability. He looks at the impact we have on people’s lives in our community – from fans in the neighbourhood to partners of workforce as well as Environmental Protection and economic responsibility.

“Black History Month is really important because it brings us together as a family,” he said.

“But it's also about celebrating the great things and the opportunities that the cultures and the engagement of families and neighbours and communities.

“It's about recognition of the challenges but also celebrating the most wonderful cultures and diversity that we can create and generate as a city and making sure we maintain that as well.”

He also went on to discuss why the Club should celebrate black voices and the impact they’ve had across the country.

“It's really important that we listen to each other,” he continued.

“Black people, black families and communities have made unbelievable contributions to this city and to the nation as well and if we then listen to what we can do together and how we join up and make sure that we celebrate and learn from each other. If we listen, we learn and we develop and we move forward.”

For Craig Barrett, who works as a senior producer for the men’s first team, Black History Month is a time to reflect and spotlight those who aren’t in the limelight, but also to use the time to educate.

“I think it's good to talk about people who might have a history that might affect everybody,” he said.

“I like the fact that the poem was made by Lemn [Sissay]. It's quite a nice touch.

“The fact that there were references to Moss Side as well was something that I felt quite strongly about because my family grew up around Moss Side and they grew up in one of the streets.

“I thought it was nice to have some sort of representation there to reach out to people, especially at City as well. It’s nice to know that there are black voices in the club that aren't just playing football, that aren’t just coaching, that are working regular jobs and just doing normal things.”

Official Supporters Club Equality and Inclusion Lead Bing Findlater was proud to be involved in the reading and felt the poem encapsulates what he feels as a City fan.

“It was great to be asked and I'll always take that as anything that relates to reflecting my culture within the Manchester City community, one which has a very long and storied history," he said.

“I feel like I'm carrying on what others have done before me and hopefully pass in the future as well. So, it's great to be invited and it’s great to have contributed.

“I’m kind of lost for words a little bit in regards to that, but it’s been enlightening doing the work that they've asked me to do today and it's been a great pleasure.

“It's always something I'll step up to because I see it as an essential part of showing what our community is about.”

WATCH: The Stadium Speaks - a poem by Lemn Sissay

Bing also discussed his work on the club’s inclusivity and said  he has received great support from the club and EDI team.

“The branches that I visit, they are very committed to actually making change, making themselves as inclusive and reflective as possible," he added.

“They just need some assistance in relation to that, so I get a lot of joy out of the activity I undertake, particularly with the branches when people come up to me at games and ask ‘how do we do this?’ That gives me a buzz," he added.

“Through Black History Month and content [City have] done in the past, it demonstrates to the wider community that City embraces its cultural diversity and across all of the thematic extremes.

“I know there was work being done with pride earlier in August and South Asian History Month and Manchester is a place of great diversity and Manchester City as the premier club within the city reflects that.”

Being part of the reading was a very proud moment for Bridget, who works at the Etihad Stadium on match days. Taking part gave her the chance to celebrate her culture and learn about other black experiences.

“Black History Month means community,” she said.

“It means sort of highlighting all the feelings and experiences that I am constantly living with and just seeing all the excellent people that have added to British black history and being aware of that.

“I think oftentimes black people can be left out of the conversation. It doesn't really matter what sector or section of the working world that we're talking about. So I think black history just means getting to commune with people and celebrate with them and just really connect in a way that is meaningful.

“Obviously [having this conversation all year round would be ideal, but it's good that we get to all say yeah, we're amazing and we're black.”

Bridget also spoke about black heroes that have inspired her from family to powerful female icons in the music industry.

“I would say the black women in my life that have helped raise me, obviously there's amazing idols that I love," she said.

"But I think first of all, when I think about black people that I look up to, I think about the black women that I've grown up with and really made me the woman that I am and just really nurtured me into womanhood myself, and that could be just aunties that aren't biologically related to me or people that I've found through friendship and family.

"But in terms of someone who is celebrity. I love Beyoncé. Her work ethic is beyond amazing. I guess seeing someone like her being so high and highly regarded in her industry is something that I strive to do as well."