Routes2Success, our flagship role-model and mentoring programme for ethnic minority young people aged 10 – 25, has been busy this year delivering podcasts in schools! In this post, we’re delighted to introduce you to our brand new Speakeasy Podcast series.
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 Routes2Success role model, DD Armstrong to empower young people to take action on issues that matter to them and encourage crucial conversations.
Last year, we partnered with West London secondary school Phoenix Academy and their Year 9s, working closely with youth-centered education and arts initiative, Castletown Arts to introduce a new strand of work: Race Equality Action Projects (REAPs).
Diverging from our traditional mentoring sessions, which split male and female students up with role-models and mentors of similar ethnicities, these projects united boys and girls in mixed groups to encourage dialogue around important issues that affect them. The young people were instrumental in creating the content, and deciding what the topics would be as part of their thoughts on race equality.
Listen to Episode 1 on Teachers and Schools, released on 11th March 2023!
Notably, an episode dedicated to mental health featured an enlightening talk by mental health advocator Ox 4 Real aka Monica’s son.
This has been a wonderful experience! The only regret I have is that I didn’t speak enough. I learnt multiple new things and gained a new outlook on certain things. If I could, I would love to do this again!!”
Year 13 student
Another significant episode featured an exclusive interview with ARE’s former Deputy Executive Tebussum Rashid, who spoke about stereotypes, particularly of Muslim females.
Listen to Tebussum talk about breaking stereotypes in an interview conducted by Youth organisation YouPress here.
These were just some of the topics chosen by the students along with youth crime, colonialism, policing, microaggressions and many more.
Together, they form the Speakeasy Podcast Series.
In a bid to nurture a better understanding of society and a range of experiences, the Speakeasy podcast initiative ventured beyond its own boundaries. An episode featured an insightful conversation with a local law enforcement superintendent, shedding light on the links between community and policing. Another episode paid homage to the Windrush Generation, with young interviewers capturing invaluable stories and experiences from this pivotal group in London’s history.
The additional funding from the Mayor of London underscores the undeniable impact of Routes2Success and its REAP podcasting initiative. As the project evolves, it promises to empower more young individuals, equipping them with the tools to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and resilience.
A new Speakeasy Podcast episode will be released every Monday on Soundcloud. Check out our social media channels for the latest updates!
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!
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 us or complete this inquiry form.