It’s been 31 years since the horrific murder of Stephen Lawrence in southeast London, as the eighteen-year-old was killed in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack.
In the years since, the tireless campaigning of his mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, has helped keep the spotlight on Stephen’s life and legacy – with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation aiming to fight racial inequality and advocate for a more inclusive society. To reflect on both Stephen’s memory, and the crucial work the foundation that bears his name is doing today, the London Eye will light up in orange tonight (April 22).
Every year on April 22 (the date of Stephen’s death), the Foundation celebrates Stephen’s legacy and the progress made towards fighting racism, promoting equality, and celebrating diversity. Though there is a still a long way to go, the steps made in recent years are shaping a better society for all, and on Stephen Lawrence Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on the work done and the work needed to do next.
To mark Stephen Lawrence Day this year, the foundation has today launched a ‘Power Of Learning Hub’ on their site, which aims to challenge status quo and provide guidance over areas including financial literacy, career advice, and more. The hope is that young people will use the hub to gather insights that are useful in a difficult working landscape today.
Also included in the new learning hub is outlining the importance of breathwork from a young age, which Davina Ebikeme outlined in a video shared to the foundation’s Instagram page today. You can access this and more via their hub here.
Year-round, the Foundation helps to create career opportunities from underrepresented communities, helping with scholarships and apprenticeships, the lighting up of the London Eye in orange (the colour of the Stephen Lawrence Foundation) recognises the work it carries it as well as remembering Stephen.
You can find out more about Stephen Lawrence Day, and the Foundation’s work, on their website.