The Leeds United Foundation have been celebrating Martin Luther King Day over the last week as part of the work they do around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Coaches from the Premier League Kicks (PL Kicks) programme have been holding educational workshops alongside their usual football sessions, to give youngsters the chance to learn more about Martin Luther King and everything that he stood for.

During the various sessions the youngsters were given background information around Martin Luther King, who was born in the United States of America to African American parents. They then went on to discuss his famous speech given in 1963 ‘I Have a Dream’ around the importance of civil rights, and his dream of a society where black and white people live together in harmony.

Following the discussions, the young people were then split into small groups to talk about its relevance in Leeds today, and how they can integrate everything Martin Luther King fought for in their lives at school, home and on the PL Kicks programme. Finally, the participants each worked on a piece of art to showcase their views around the subject of equality, which were proudly displayed for everyone to look at.

The PL Kicks programme is not only based around football and creating opportunities for youngsters to participate in football, but there is also an educational element to ensure they are aware of the importance of respecting everyone, making positive choices and supporting others.

For any further information around the PL Kicks initiative, please contact Richard.Foye@leedsunited.com.