Eastside Young Leaders Academy (EYLA)

by AFBE-UK in London, England, United Kingdom

Eastside Young Leaders Academy (EYLA)
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On 20th May 2024 we successfully raised £40 ( + est. £10.00 Gift Aid ) with 1 supporters in 28 days

EYLA has helped hundreds of disadvantaged young children to elite public schools in an attempt to address racial inequality

by AFBE-UK in London, England, United Kingdom

Founded by late Ray Lewis CBE a Black youth leader who sent hundreds of disadvantaged young children to elite public schools in an attempt to address racial inequality has died at the age of 61. Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy (EYLA),  is an organisation established in 2002 for Black boys at risk of school exclusion. 

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EYLA’s aim is to create leaders of character and purpose for tomorrow's world, drawn from those most in need in grassroots communities. 

They view education as a launchpad for this mission and as a gateway to belonging to an influential peer group who will individually and collectively exert positive influence in society.

Ray a former prison service manager of a young offenders’ institute, Lewis recognised the disproportionate number of Black boys outside education and incarcerated. He went on to design a leadership training curriculum to help them stay in school and flourish in the workplace.

The charity in Forest Gate, east London, works with black boys and girls at risk of exclusion from school.

An article in a national newspaper in which five disadvantaged young black men from Newham, east London, who were sent to Rugby School in 2008 through the work of EYLA, is said to have inspired BBC Show Boarders’ writer Daniel Lawrence Taylor.

Since 2018 AFBE-UK has activity worked with EYLA to support the STEM activity deleivering STEM workshops on employability, robotics and design to some of the most outstanding young people destined for success in our communities.

It is for this reason we believe it is fitting that we continue to support the work of EYLA and maintain and protect the legacy that Ray left.

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“Since my son and daughter joined Eastside I have noticed a real change. They take more responsibility for themselves and are more organised and getting on with homework. They also take more interest in what is going on in the world even teaching me new things. Personally I really enjoy the parent workshops and have gained a lot from meeting with other parents.”


— Parent

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