Author & Orator
THIS FIGHT, IS NOT MY SON’S FIGHT!
PERSONAL GROWTH, STEWARDSHIP, GRIEF & COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
I am Stuart Lawrence. I am a teacher, orator, author and consultant: all for a single purpose, to give young people and adults alike the mindset and skills to achieve their potential, irrespective of background. And in turn become the voices that change society.
“I want the people of today to understand that it’s all down to them – what they do with their lives, how hard they work, what they achieve – and that they have the ability to achieve all their hopes and goals.”
It is funny how life changes its path. Three years ago I decided to stop teaching full-time and took the step of becoming a campaigner and motivator full-time. With the aim of working with local councils, businesses and charities as a consultant to discuss privilege, conscious bias, racial inequalities – ie the structural roots of inequality as well as individual behaviours.
Something you might not know about me is that I absolutely love reading, however I am also dyslexic so I never thought I would be able to write a book. But then Covid struck and a book proposal I had previously discussed with scholastic got snapped up and I got to turn a personal dream into a reality and had my first book published, ‘Silence is Not an Option’. I use my own life experience which includes living through fear and loss, learning to cope, 15 years as a secondary school teacher, and being a father, to offer life lessons – for everyone. My book is a step by step toolkit to find the goals, expectations of oneself, attitude and self-control to rise above the barriers whether this is entrenched family behaviour, social disadvantage or ingrained negative thinking. I often go into schools and youth groups in order to share my messages of hope and tolerance with young people as I believe early intervention is key, prevention is better than cure.
I am super excited to announce my second book is due out April 2023 ‘Growing Up Black In Britain’ and I cannot wait for you all to read this!
Earlier this year I became a patron of the Black Curriculum, a social enterprise founded three years ago to address the lack of Black British history in the UK Curriculum. I share its aim to provide a sense of belonging and identity to all young people in the UK, and its belief that by providing a good education and the tools for a diverse landscape, young people themselves will bring social change.
One thing I am not good at is bigging myself up but I am delighted to say that at the MBCC Awards 2021, I received a Special Recognition Award and most recently I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Greenwich University for my efforts over recent times. These awards I am grateful for but you cannot do anything solely on your own so I gratefully accept these with all the people that have helped and supported me on my journey.
Before I sign off, I will leave you with a little nugget which I try to instil in my own child.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard!.”
Further Information and Contact Information for Stuart Lawrence
Current Projects
Can your company sponsor Stuart to deliver talks in Schools?
With mental health on the rise Stuart wants to reach out to the youth of today and share his experience, speak about ‘moving on’ and ‘not dwelling on past events’ and promote how we can all be better citizens who make a difference.
For further information on this project please email use the Contact form here
CIRV work
Filming for the Knife crime product for schools is now part of a series of films with lesson plans wrapped around them called “Engage and Empower”.
This was launched in schools across the County of Northamptonshire earlier this year.
Black Curriculum CIC
Stuart is a patron of the Black Curriculum CIC with his Youth Engagement skills and experience.
The Black Curriculum is a social enterprise founded in 2019 to address the Eurocentricity found in local and national curriculums, where there is a lack of Black British History.
theblackcurriculum.com
Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence was the older brother of Stuart who was tragically murdered in South East London in racist attack. The case of Stephen led to a Public Inquiry led by the late Sir William Macpherson who concluded there was institutional racism in the London Metropolitan Police while dealing with Stuart’s case. The Lawrence family then pursued a campaign for justice for 25 years and continue to work to continue Stephens Legacy.
Tribute Text
“Dear Stephen
Some how we are now at a point in time where it has been so many years and it still feels like yesterday
I love you more each day
But
I miss you more each day.
You were the best big brother in the world
Until we meet again
Love Stuart”
