To celebrate Black History Month the Diocese of Manchester has released ‘A Million Colours’ - a music video featuring a diverse group of children from Church of England schools across Greater Manchester.
‘A Million Colours’ was written by singer/songwriter pair Ni-Cola Jackson and Paul Saxon, as part of the Children Changing Places Project. With joyful, uplifting music and moving lyrics, it conveys the message that everyone is equal before God and people of every single colour are significant and beautiful. It includes the challenge not to remain silent, but to speak up for everyone, no matter what colour they are.
In the video, children from six schools in Bolton are seen participating in the performance of the song and enjoying waving multi-coloured banners and playing air guitars.
The schools are:
St Matthew’s CofE Primary School, Bolton
St Thomas’ (Halliwell) CE Primary School
St Matthew’s CE Primary School, Little Lever
St Peter's Smithills Dean CE Primary School
Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School, Bolton
Bolton St Catherine’s Academy (Primary)
The ‘A Million Colours’ video is part a wider project called ‘Shades’, which aims to champion racial diversity and inclusion within schools work of the diocese. The project aims to raise awareness, foster understanding of each other’s differences, and instil dignity and a sense of belonging for all children, young people and adults, within our school communities. The project has been particularly impactful in promoting a strong sense of racial identity for ethnically diverse children in school, church, and the wider community. Through acts of collective worship, Faith and Identity Workshops, Shades Ambassador groups and the ‘A Million Colours’ song, God’s love for all of his children has been celebrated. Children and young people have reported that they have grown more secure in their own identity and school communities have benefited from open and honest conversations about racial diversity. People of all ages have been equipped to challenge racism and to actively promote inclusivity.
Rachel Eden is project manager for the Children Changing Places Project, which engages children, young people and families across Bolton in activity that creates new discipleship pathways and supports the growth of the Christian faith in schools, parishes and the home.
Rachel said, “The release of ‘A Million Colours’ celebrates the fantastic work going on, in schools and churches, to champion racial diversity and inclusion. The children have engaged brilliantly with the key messages of the Shades Project and have loved sharing the song through collective worship. It has been inspiring to see how the children have grasped the heart of God for all of his children and they have expressed this with such creativity and joy!”
