Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney is to present a one-off documentary for Channel 4 investigating the lack of black education topics in the UK curriculum.
The 31-year-old has launched a campaign to make teaching of black, Asian and minority ethnic history mandatory in British schools - as at present, the subjects are merely "optional" and research has revealed that not enough teachers feel empowered enough to tackle the topics.
In Troy Deeney – Where's My History?, the footballer will meet with education secretary Nadhim Zahawi to discuss what can be done to effect real change.
"As the proud father of four children, three of which are currently in the education system, this topic has moved front and centre in my life," Deeney said.
"I have seen more and more how important it is for my children to be able to see themselves represented in what they are being taught and learn about the contribution and background of people who look like them.
"The current system is failing children from ethnic minorities and over the past 18 months nearly 400,000 people have signed petitions calling for changes to be made to mandate more diversity in the national curriculum, yet the teaching of diversity in schools still remains optional and the government's stock response has been that it is down to teachers and schools to teach them.
"The importance of education at an early age to inform identity and combat racist beliefs and stereotypes cannot be understated."
The programme, due to air on Channel 4 in May, is being made by the production company co-founded by Anthony Joshua, who also appears in the show.
Neil Wilkes
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