Children's Art Celebrated in Competition Run by Descendants
Event was one of several organised for Black History Month
Cllr Malcolm (centre) holds up picture from one of the winners who was unable to attend
November 4, 2025
Young artists from across the borough came together in Acton recently for a children’s art competition hosted by Descendants, a local educational and cultural group. The event formed part of the borough’s Black History Month celebrations and highlighted creative responses to historical themes, including the life and legacy of abolitionist Ottobah Cugoano.
The competition ran over three days, with children producing artwork inspired by Black history and identity. The overall winners were Ruben (11), Jeanae (9), and Omari (6), whose pieces were selected for their originality and impact. Their work will be featured in the upcoming update of The Descendants’ book Our Roots, Our Story, Our Legacy, which documents the group’s community engagement and cultural education efforts.
Judging the competition were Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Ealing Liberal Democrats, Andrew Charles, and Trustee Janet Amarh. Councillor Malcolm viewed the entries and held one of the winning paintings during a follow-up presentation as the artist was unable to attend. He praised the group’s work, saying, “Liberal Democrats have to applaud the Descendants for their non-stop work to help educate many children in the borough, help support children to be more creative and keep the kids having a fun time by playing sports.”
The event on Thursday (30 October) also included a screening of a short film produced by Descendants about Ottobah Cugoano, a prominent 18th-century abolitionist and author. The film aimed to introduce children to Cugoano’s role in the movement to end slavery and to encourage reflection on historical struggles for freedom and justice.
The Descendants group has long promoted cultural awareness, youth development, and creative learning. Its programmes often combine history, art, and sport to engage children from diverse backgrounds. More information about their work is available at www.descendants.org.uk.
The art competition was one of several events taking place across the borough during Black History Month, which continues to grow in scope and participation each year. Organisers say they hope the children’s artwork will inspire further conversations about heritage, creativity, and community.
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