A call for high achievers from the Black community to play their role in inspiring the next generation of successful young Black men has been backed by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.

Picking up on the excellent work of community based initiatives the government has launched a new national mentoring programme to nurture the next generation of high flyers and counter many of the negative stereotypes faced by young Black people.

The REACH National Role Model programme, launched by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears provides the political and financial framework to give role model programmes the gravitas they have always and so critically deserved.

At least twenty national role models from across the country will be selected by an independent panel comprising of four young Black men, as well as, fashion designer and businessman Ozwald Boateng; entrepreneur Tim Campbell; founder and Director of Operation Black Vote, Simon Woolley; and Metropolitan Police Superintendent Leroy Logan. This group forms part of REACH. Set up in 2006, the REACH group had 22 members drawn from the voluntary and community sector, education, academia and law enforcement.

"The REACH role modelling programme has massive potential to change the way that our communities address issues around under-achievement in all areas, at all levels. We need to find people that can really connect with and inspire the next generation to get on and do more”, said Tim Campbell.

Organised by Business in the community (BITC) and launched in Bristol the programme is equipped to encourage young men in navigating the obstacles to their success. Acknowledging the importance of investing in the success of this generation Hazel Blears said: “It is crucial that we improve the life chances of young Black boys. Too few Black boys and men are achieving their full potential, and the consequences of that are being seen socially and economically.”

Assistance will be provided by a consortium of 800 top British firms who have signed up to investing in the next generation of British workers.

This Role Model program was only one of several key recommendations made to Government by REACH. The REACH report highlighted a number of barriers to preventing some Black boys from fulfilling their full potential, recommendations included:

• improve engagement between schools and Black parents - home school partnership agreements
• strengthen the reporting and monitoring of race equality and schools - Ofsted has reviewed, revised and published new guidance for inspectors which will strengthen the way that it reports on race equality issues including drawing attention to good practice and highlighting inequalities.
• supporting Black led Voluntary and Community Sector organisations – as they are often the organisations working most closely with young Black men at risk of dropping out.
• the severe lack of positive images in Media around Black achievement.

Applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions from every area of the country are being encouraged. Black Men of all ages are needed to apply to be a national role model and can get more information by going to http://www.direct.gov.uk/reach or con/script>[log in to unmask]

http://www.obv.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1098&Itemid=134

OPERATION BLACK VOTE

18A VICTORIA PARK SQUARE

LONDON E2 9PB

020 8983 5430

EMAIL DISCLAIMER

This email and any files transmitted with it come from Operation Black Vote and are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or company to whom they are addressed.
 
Unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or taking any action in relation to the contents of this email (either whole or partial) is strictly prohibited.

If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, kindly delete it immediately from your system, and notify the sender.

Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of Operation Black Vote.

The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Operation Black Vote accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.