The film addresses the need for contextualised safeguarding (intervention from members of the community) and covers the themes of grooming, exploitation, and consequences. It has been commissioned by Enfield Council and the VRU’s Operation Engage and will be used nationally as a training tool in schools, professional and community settings to help educate and empower viewers. It was co-created with input from young people from an Enfield Youth Club, some of whom also feature in the film.
I’m part of The Commission On Young Lives expert panel, chaired by former Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield. It’s a major independent commission to evidence and design a new national system to prevent crisis in vulnerable young people and support them to succeed in life.
In Autumn 2022, The Commission released it’s findings in a shocking report and made a series of recommendations incl. a Sure Start for teenagers and funding an army of Youth Practitioners with the proceeds seized from criminal activities.
I featured on Channel 4 news with Anne in Nov 2022 to launch the report and discuss it’s recommendations.
In collaboration with Goldman Sachs, Hogan Lovells and Mentivity (founded by Sayce Holmes-Lewis) I established a new six month programme for black and black mixed race 16-18 year-olds of all genders who are worthy of a second chance and/or boost of confidence.
This will include a series of inspirational workshops, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities with the intention of equipping each participant with the soft skills needed for a successful life and career.
I was approached by The Canal and Rivers Trust to help boost local engagement around the River Lea @ Tottenham Hale, Haringey. So as the creative college where I’m a trustee is less than a mile away, I had to get my Level 2 Media students invovled.
After the success of our youth led #OurLockdown, I teamed up with Million Youth Media (Fully Focused) and The Mayor Of London to produce a motivational awareness video called “You’ve Got This”.
During the first lockdown of the COVID 19 pandemic, I was watching the news and heard lots of reporters speaking ABOUT young people’s experiences but not actually with young people. So I decided to create a campaign to change that narrative…
Role: Producer and Protagonist
This is my seminal project, providing an unfiltered look into the choices I made growing up, which unfortunately led to me being stabbed in my early 20’s.
The film stars Joivan Wade (DC Comics’ Doom Patrol, The First Purge and Shiro’s Story) which amassed 1 million views in 4 days and has been widely acclaimed by both youth and adults. It has now had just under 4 Million views!
As part of the film’s impact I continue to travel across London and the UK, giving an exclusive insight into my story, through inspiring assemblies and workshops across the UK.