Uanu Seshmi

In early 2007, the National Union of Teachers delivered a statement concerning the struggle to keep young black boys in education and the failure of the system to help them achieve their potential.

At a time when this couldn' t be more relevant, the 'From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation' www.usatfbmf.com is doing remarkable work to ensure boys who are excluded from school are empowered and reformed towards a more promising and deserving future. Co-founded by Uanu Seshmi, the programme, which provides classroom-style lessons and group discussions, has returned a tremendous 97% of young boys, otherwise written off by the education system, back into mainstream schooling.

Dedicated to his cause, Uanu has been working for the past eleven years in the Peckham area, inspiring youngsters to turn around their lives and attitude towards education. He also wrote 'Calling the Shots' , a guide which forms part of the anti-gun curriculum. His unrelenting passion and ability to see inner potential is what makes Uanu a tremendous asset to the lives of so many young people, who perhaps otherwise would have turned to serious crime.

His empowerment of countless youngsters to become more responsible and respectful members of the community is an incredibly encouraging marker for the possibility for a positive change and the incredible value of such work.