The Young Black Men’s Mentoring programme, coordinated by social regeneration charity East Potential, will help and inspire hundreds of work-ready young men in east London and Essex to make the leap into work and achieve their goals. It has been set up after research commissioned by East Potential highlighted the need for role models to reduce the disproportionate number of unemployed young black men.

At the launch, David Lammy MP and David Weaver spoke about their experiences in overcoming barriers and achieving their goals, and called for more successful black men to step forward as mentors. They also encouraged young black men to sign up for mentoring and other support services to help them work out a career path that’s right for them and fits their aspirations.

A film, made with input from young black men from east London, was also shown at the launch. The young people interviewed a diverse range of successful black male professionals asking them how they have overcome difficulties to succeed in their fields. The film is being disseminated to hundreds of businesses, to raise awareness about barriers to employment faced by many black men and encourage involvement in the project; it is also being promoted to young people, to help inspire them to push to achieve their goals. See below for case studies on a young person and professional in the film. Click here to view the film.

Research commissioned by East Potential and carried out by Ethnos used focus groups to investigate barriers to employment faced by young black men. It highlighted that:

• Unemployed black men have low expectations of gaining personal or financial fulfilment from employment


• Many young black men lack awareness of the availability of employment-related support and training;


• Young black men often require help developing self-esteem, as well as overcoming more ‘tangible’ barriers to employment;


• Black men are more likely to experience discrimination at application or interview stage, rather than in employment;


• Black African and Caribbean men in Britain are both three times more likely to be unemployed than white British men.

The need to provide black male role models to address the low aspirations and attainment of many black boys and young black men has been acknowledged by the Government. Through its REACH programme,the Government departmentCommunities and Local Government is working to sign up 20 role models to share their stories through the media and at events, challenging negative stereotypes and helping to build self-esteem.

East Potential’s mentoring programme works by engaging young black men who are work-ready, but who want support in taking the next step, and mentors who can offer advice and encouragement, and who are working in a variety of fields. A matching evening is held, to help pair up mentees with mentors who can provide the right support for them. Mentors and mentees receive training to help them get the most out the programme. Each pair then meets regularly over a six month period, completing a mentoring diary and receiving ongoing support from East Potential. The programme is being delivered in partnership with c-a-n-i, an education and training consultancy that works to engage and benefit adults and young people.

East Potential is a charity operating in east London and Essex that aims to give people a chance to succeed. A subsidiary of housing association East Thames Group, it is the biggest provider of foyers in the country. Its foyers provide accommodation, support and education and training for more than 450 16-24 year-olds who are homeless or otherwise in need of housing and support. It also runs a broad range of education, training and neighbourhood regeneration programmes.

East Potential is encouraging black professionals, businesses and young black men to get involved in the programme by emailing ete@east-potential.org.uk or 020 8522 3433.

David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, said: “I’m pleased to be supporting the launch of this important project to help young black men make the step into work. It’s essential that we give young people the chance to reach their full potential – particularly those who are under-represented in top jobs and universities. Young black men often encounter all sorts of barriers in achieving success – both internal and external. Dedicated programmes like this can make such a difference, not only helping young black men achieve their goals, but empowering them to make a real contribution socially and economically.”

Lord Ouseley, ex-Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality and Chair of Kick it Out, says: “Mentoring is an incredibly powerful way to empower young people, helping them to grow in confidence, explore their options, and forge links with the world of work. This is especially important for young black men, who often face heightened difficulties in achieving their goals, through prejudices which are sadly still present in the business community. East Potential are to be commended for embarking on a project to engage young black men in breaking down these prejudices.”

David Weaver, Co-founder of Operation Black Vote, says: “This programme is much-needed and desperately important for both the black community and the business community. I’m appealing to companies across the region to address their responsibilities in promoting diversity, and to get involved. Engaging with young people who may otherwise feel alienated from the business world can have far reaching implications – not only for the young people themselves, but for their families and communities, and indeed for your business.”

David Chesterton, Director of East Potential, says: “The Mentoring for Young Black Men programme was born from the ideas of some of our young foyer residents, who suggested that we research, and work to break down, the barriers facing young black men. They were conscious of a daunting gap between their world and the world of work. We’re really proud to have been able to respond to this idea, and to help bridge this gap. We believe this programme will help hundreds of young black men on their journey to meaningful and fulfilling employment.”

Case study – Lucky Mohapi, mentee

Lucky Mohapi, age 21, is a resident at East Potential’s Focus E15 foyer in Stratford, who helped make the film, and has signed up as a mentee. Lucky says: “In the past I’ve not really had someone in my life to act as a role model and give me advice – and I think this has been a factor in mistakes I’ve made. I know what my goals are – I want to work in hospitality and catering and own my own business. But it’s hard knowing how to get there. I think having a mentor, someone with experience in the business world, will really help me work out what path to take and how to get where I want to be.”

Case study – mentors

Wole Olufunwa has signed up as one of the first mentors and also features in the film. He is a 28-year-old lawyer, who works at Reed Smith LLP as an associate. Wole says: “A lot of young people are very frustrated - it’s the most frustrating thing, when you find out that life isn’t going to be what you thought it might be. It’s important that professionals like myself get involved and give something back. A good number of us giving just a little bit of our time could have a positive impact on so many young people wanting a strong and compelling example to follow.”

George Brown, 39, has also signed up as one of the first mentors and features in the film. He is an independent consultant working with several east London organisations on effective engagement with young people. George says: “I’d describe my youth as pretty rocky. At school I was able, but totally unengaged. I left with no qualifications and then went from one unsatisfying job to another. But then I started to turn things around. I went to university, and have then gone on to have a successful career. I just wish I could have got involved in a programme like this when I was young – I think it would have made such a difference to me. A lot of young black men don’t have a positive role model – and there is a responsibility for individuals like me to take that on.”