Elliot Parish School is inviting the public to attend its inaugural Black Bermudian Gallery celebrating some of Bermuda’s leading figures.

Patrika Dill, the school’s social studies lead teacher, worked with Ethel Liverpool, a retired teacher, to launch the event.

Ms Liverpool, whose grandson attends Elliot, was one of two former Paget Primary School teachers who launched the Black History Museum at that school eight years ago.

Ms Liverpool said the programme at Paget was so successful she felt something similar could be hosted in other schools.

She said some of the prominent figures featured in Elliot’s first show include Mary Prince who published a first-hand account of her life as a slave, Shaun Goater, a Bermudian former professional footballer, coach and pundit, and the late Cathy Bassett, a former educator and president of the Hamilton Rotary Club.

Ms Liverpool told The Royal Gazette: “Featuring Black Bermudians in our schools is about honouring the people who helped shape this island and making sure their stories continue to inspire future generations. It’s about educating all students and preserving Bermuda’s history in a meaningful and lasting way.

“Paget Primary showed how powerful this kind of learning can be and it has been encouraging to see other schools embrace it as well.

“During visits to the showcase at Paget Primary, the former education minister Diallo Rabain shared that this work should become part of the curriculum island-wide, which speaks to how important it is for our students.

“With my grandson now attending Elliot, I reached out to the school about highlighting Black History this month and I am truly pleased that they will be featuring it. Moments like this help students develop pride, understanding, and a stronger connection to their heritage and community.

“My goal has always been simple — I want to support schools in keeping Bermuda’s history alive through education and collaboration so that every student across the island has the opportunity to learn about the people and contributions that shaped who we are today.”

In the run up to the event, students learnt about the figures they would be featuring including during social studies class. In some cases, they have had the opportunity to meet those featured or their family members. Other elements of the school curriculum integrated work related to the showcase into lessons.

The public is invited to attend the event which takes place on February 26.

There will be an opening ceremony starting at 9am. The Black Bermudian Gallery officially opens at 9.30am and ends at 2.30pm.

Paget Primary School’s Black History Museum is also taking place on February 26 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.