As part of our Routes2Success mentoring programme, Action for Race Equality has launched two new Race Equality Action Projects (REAPs) with secondary school students in London, one addressing knife crime, the other exploring unconscious bias.
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Guided by experienced role models, these Race Equality Action Projects provided students with space to explore inequality through mentoring and creative expression. Both initiatives were completed in the first quarter of 2025 and reflect the power of youth voice in challenging harmful narratives and assumptions.
Through the Propel funding from the Mayor of London’s New Deal for Young People initiative, Routes2Success has been able to carry out a range of podcast sessions with expert role models, to empower young people to take action on issues that matter to them and encourage crucial conversations.Â
Brentside High School (Year 8 &9): Knife Crime Awareness
In January 2025, a group of Year 8 and 9 boys from Brentside High School in Ealing began a Race Equality Action Project focused on knife crime awareness —an issue that continues to disproportionately impact young people, particularly those from Black and minoritised backgrounds.
Through a series of mentoring sessions and guided discussions, students examined the causes and consequences of knife crime, addressing common misconceptions and unpacking the social pressures that can lead young people to carry knives. They explored how violence intersects with race, identity, and community safety—and the emotional and legal toll it can take.
As part of the project, the students interviewed a number of high-profile guests:
- Dr Martin Griffiths, Clinical Director for Violence Reduction at NHS London
- Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, a leading voice in knife crime prevention charity
- Pooja Kanda, knife crime awareness campaigner
- Sosa Henkoma, community advocate committed to amplifying the voices of marginalised communities
- Representatives from the Metropolitan Police
These conversations not only deepened the students’ understanding of the topic but also helped build essential communication and critical thinking skills. Learning to frame questions, listen actively, and engage respectfully gave the boys the confidence to speak publicly on a subject often distorted in mainstream narratives.
Their work culminated in a new episode of A Question of Colour, one of ARE’s youth-led podcast series. In this episode, students share what they’ve learned and challenge the glamorisation of knife crime, raising awareness of the issue and its impact on young people.
It’s important that every young person doesn’t let the labels placed on them—by circumstance or the system—hold them back. We shouldn’t allow those limitations to stop us from achieving what others have shown is possible: greatness. Every single young person is destined for it.” Â
Sosa Henkoma
The episode was released during Knife Crime Awareness Week 2025 and is available to listen to now on Soundcloud and Spotify.
Alexandra Park School (year 9): A Short Film on Unconscious Bias
In Haringey, another Race Equality Action Project was launched with Year 9 boys from Alexandra Park School. Beginning in June 2024 and running over thirteen weeks, the students took part in mentoring sessions focused on identity, stereotyping, and their experiences as young Black boys in school.
Facilitated by expert role models Hepburn Harrison Graham and DD Armstrong, the students chose to create a short film exploring unconscious bias a theme that resonated strongly with their own experiences.
The film portrays a careers day scenario in which a teacher encourages a non-Black student to pursue high-status professions, while steering a Black student toward stereotypical career paths like sport or music. When the Black student responds with frustration, the teacher’s reaction leads to his exclusion.
The project concludes with real-life reflections from students who were not in the film but wanted to share their own stories of bias and low expectations. Every student involved played a vital role—developing skills in storytelling, performance, and collaboration.
Photo courtesy of Alexandra Park School.
Want to get involved?
If you’ve been inspired by this post, and want to work with young people to deliver exciting sessions like these, why not join Routes2Success? We’re recruiting Expert role-models!Â
If you’re a school that would like to take part in our role-model or mentoring sessions, or wish to run your own Race Equality Action Project, you can contact our Routes2Success, Local Project Development and Engagement Officer at Liam@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
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