TMP Online

Following the publication of the widely welcomed REACH Report in August this year, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears (below) has today announced a national role modelling programme aimed at boosting the number of positive Black role models for young Black men to aspire to.

The programme is one part of a package of measures aimed at countering a culture of low aspirations and low attainment amongst some Black boys and young Black men. The independent REACH report highlighted the barriers that are preventing some Black boys from fulfilling their full potential. The group said that if more Black boys and men overcame these barriers, it could benefit the economy by £24billion over the next 50 years.

The independent group – drawn from a range of disciplines working with young Black men - made clear that too often the only images of successful Black men were those of rap artists - who can glamorise crime, guns and gangs - or sportsmen. Black boys and young Black men needed a greater diversity of images and portrayals, showing that Black men can be, and are, successful in a wide range of fields.

Hazel Blears said:
“Young Black men want and need to see role models from everyday life who have been successful in business, in retail, as doctors and accountants - and to be reassured that these paths are open to them too.
“It is these men who will provide the most powerful antidote to a culture of low aspiration that is seeing too many of our young Black men fail. We have listened to the Black community and the recommendations of the REACH report, and we are determined to do everything we can in helping to turn things around. There will always be the rap stars and the bling, but I think you can cut through it.
“Black pupils made the biggest improvement in this year’s GCSE results and the attainment gap is closing. We must continue to boost the attainment of our young Black men if we are going to see improvements in other areas too. A concerted focus on what is happening for Black pupils both in schools and outside is a vital part of getting this right. “

One of the measures outlined by Government today consists of the creation of the first ever Black Boys’ National Role Model programme. An independent panel comprising fashion designer and businessman Ozwald Boateng (right), entrepreneur Tim Campbell, founder and Director of Operation Black Vote Simon Woolley and Metropolitan Police Superintendent Leroy Logan plus four young Black men, will spend the coming months identifying and recruiting twenty national Black role models who will work to help raise aspirations of Black boys.

Once recruited the twenty national role models will tour the country speaking to Black communities. This might include schools, youth clubs and young offender institutes. They will also use other mechanisms such as podcasts and webchats to reach a wider audience and boost the visibility of positive images of Black male achievement and the journey to success.

A Ministerial Board will also be established to oversee all efforts in raising the aspirations of Black boys. Hazel Blears will chair it and it will bring together minsters from across government in order to focus attention on this vital issue.  The board will include Ministers from the relevant departments necessary to drive the response to the recommendations forward and will include representatives from the Departments for Children, Families and Schools; Innovation & Skills; Cabinet Office/Office of the Third Sector and the Home Office. This board will also be joined by Joel Edwards (left) from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.