A Hero Like Me

A Hero Like Me tells the inspirational story of Jen Reid, the activist whose black power salute on the plinth where slave trader Edward Colston's statue once stood became an icon of anti-racism overnight. On 7th June, 2020, Jen went to a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol. During the protest, a statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and thrown into Bristol Harbour. Despite being afraid of heights, Jen spontaneously climbed onto the empty plinth and raised her fist high above her head into the Black Power salute. On the morning of 15th July, a statue of Jen by Marc Quinn was added to the empty plinth. It was called A Surge of Power and it gained national attention for the 24 hours it was in place, and beyond. We Are Powerful fictionalizes Jen Reid’s experience by imagining an 8-year-old child experiencing that same ‘surge of power’. By doing so, it will show every child that they have a voice in their community and a say in who is on their streets. That they too, have power.