To mark Stephen Lawrence Day 2025, the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation (SLDF) has announced a powerful new slate of 14 partnerships, events, and programmes aimed at creating opportunities for marginalised communities across the UK.
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Launched in collaboration with major organisations such as Bloomberg, Disney, and the Institute of Directors, the initiatives span education, enterprise, and creative industries – all aligned with the Foundation’s mission to break down systemic barriers and empower young people.
Highlights include Disney’s internal Sip and Build event honouring Stephen’s dream of becoming an architect, Bloomberg’s Lunch and Learn exploring racial equity in the workplace, and a new joint scholarship with the Institute of Directors to support Black business leaders in accessing professional qualifications.
The Foundation has also unveiled Power of Learning 2.0: Knowledge Changes Everything, a striking new visual campaign featuring a 30-second television commercial and a short film that introduces viewers to the lives transformed by Stephen’s legacy.
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, OBE, founder and Chair of Trustees, commented:
"These initiatives reflect Stephen’s enduring legacy of hope and ambition. We are not only commemorating his life, but actively building a future where opportunity and inclusion are available to all."
The announcement follows the continued success of the HOPE mentorship programme, launched in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital, which supports underrepresented youth in accessing careers in healthcare.
What Are the Programmes?
- Black Women In Real Estate Roundtable (22nd April): a roundtable discussion on creating inclusive pathways in the built environment industry, tackling hiring disparities, exploring opportunities for diverse talent, and strategizing on breaking down barriers for a more equitable future.
- HMP Feltham Event (22nd April): an event to raise awareness about Stephen's legacy and empower change within marginalised communities under HMP Feltham’s care.
- Bloomberg Lunch and Learn (23rd April): comprising a panel discussion, alumni speaker, and a workshop on personal contributions to racial equity.
- Disney's 'Sip and Build' (23rd April): an internal event for Disney employees to honour Stephen's aspirations to become an architect and raise funds for the Foundation.
- Big Ideas: Inequality (23rd April): at Greenwich Campus, unites students from across the community to challenge inequality and explore Stephen’s legacy through diverse academic lenses.
- NBPA Stephen Lawrence Conference (24th April): at UEL Docklands, addressing 'From Division to Unity – Overcoming the Impact of Far-Right Violence and Hate,' and spotlighting the ongoing fight for racial equality.
- 7PK Cobra Workshops (24th & 25th April): aimed to equip young people for life beyond the classroom, fostering personal development, social leadership and global citizenship.
- Youth Power Awards – Nottingham (25th April): an event celebrating the remarkable achievements of young people across Nottinghamshire who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, community service and resilience.
- Doula Therapies Breathwork Sessions (25th April): designed to support young people transitioning from primary to secondary school, as well as those moving into higher education, with managing stress and enhancing well-being.
- Cooking with an Architect (29th April): a workshop delivered by BOLD Platform, offering an educational experience that bridges architecture and the culinary arts.
- Mahogany Inclusion Workshops (May Launch): designed for college and university students, focusing on essential skills for transitioning from education to the workplace.
- Place Is…Workshops (May Launch): designed to uncover connections between architecture, history, power dynamics, and unseen infrastructure, fostering a deeper understanding of the environments we inhabit.
- Three Discovery Tech Workshop (Date TBC): an interactive tech session designed to inspire and equip young people with essential digital skills.
- Institute of Directors Scholarship (May Launch): launching a joint scholarship for the IoD Certificate in Company Direction to support the professional development of black business leaders and provide the knowledge needed to run a successful organisation.
As Stephen Lawrence Day continues to grow in national significance, SLDF’s work remains a shining example of how legacy, learning, and leadership can come together to drive meaningful change.
To find out more, visit stephenlawrenceday.org
Charity Check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation (SLDF). This Stephen Lawrence Day is an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen’s life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. Learn more here.
Race Equality Foundation. This is a UK charity that tackles racism in the UK and positively transforms the lives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Support them here.
Runnymede Trust. This nonprofit organisation works tirelessly for racial justice in Britain through broadening the curriculum, research and influencing policy. Find out more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Partnerships for the Goals.
