Visage – Winter 2021

THE MAGAZINE OF THE EASTSIDE YOUNG LEADERS’ ACADEMY
International
rescue
First in,
first out!
Profile
United States
Congresswoman
Stacey Plaskett
The
Catalyst
Collective
Untapping the
potential in
every Black girl
The last were first
Covid enabled opportunities
ISSUE 3 | WINTER 2021

Eastside volunteers at ‘Kenya and Friends In The Park’

WINTER 2021
FIRST WORDS
INSIDE…
2 The class of 2021
4 From Bedford to Lancing
College – catching up with
Claire Mukuru
Welcome
from the team at
This winter’s issue is a cross section of news,
views and reviews – written by young leaders
for young leaders – and anyone else who is
looking for inspiration, intrigue, even intellectual
stimulation!
So what’s new at the YLA community as we approach the end of
another busy year. We are still living under the shadow of the pandemic
but at least we are now more hopeful. For us, we end the
year in a new venue, new scholars headed for boarding school,
a new member of staff and the birth of a new young leaders’
academy. Never a dull moment at our urban oasis of learning and
leadership!
If you would like to submit an article for our next issue; perhaps
a story, poetry, prose, a picture or puzzle – we would love to hear
from you.
In the meantime - Read on Young Leaders, read on!
Deshawn Gordon
and
Shanique Lawrence
6 Profile
A conversation with United
States Congresswoman Stacey
Plaskett
8 The last were first
Heroes of Covid
9 Meet Austin – our new
Leadership Programme Director
10 International rescue – at times
of hardship shouldn’t we be
reaching out, not retreating?
11 Spotlight on
Amara Agwo
12 The Invitation
a poem about knowing
14 Potential and power
The Catalyst Collective
15 Where’s W … y? – has our
spiritual leadership gone
missing?
16 Kenya in in the park
Images from a recent festival
18 Lewisham Young Leaders’
Academy – our newest
offshoot sets up in St Dunstan’s
College, Catford
19 The other James Brown
Part 2 of his journey through an
inner city education to Oxford
University
20 A tribute to Lady Debbie
Buffini
#EYLALondon
eastsideyoung
leaders
eastsideyoung
leaders
1

EYLA SCHOLARS
the class of 2021
For those outside the Young Leaders’ circle – each year Eastside
prepares and commissions a cohort of young leaders from working
class backgrounds to enter the world of boarding school.
Carol Murraine
Scholars Programme Director
Despite lockdown, this talented group of
young leaders have soared through a rigorous
preparation programme, designed to
challenge and support in readiness for a life
of learning away from home as we commission
each one as they take this important
step into the strange world of boarding
education. A huge transition some may say,
but for most, a truly fulfilling one.
What lies ahead for the class of 2021?
There will of course be the inevitable
longing for home cooking (eg jollof rice)
and even a moment of grief for the curtailment
of social media, but each will
experience an ocean of life changing
opportunities and promise of an elite education
experience. We are incredibly proud
of the class of 2021.
This year’s graduation event took place
at the impressive City of London School in
central London. The great hall – adorned
with an EYLA twist – greeted our guests
along with the soulful pianist who filled the
iconic space with joyful yet subtle melodies.
Our excited parents and children were
in awe of the breath-taking space, beaming
with joy – 17 proud and prepared scholars,
with caps and gowns, arrived for their graduation
– the ‘Class of 2021’.
This year our alumni and boarders acted
as hosts – they were ushers, waiters, staffers,
leading etc. David Ejim-McCubbin, our
main speaker delivered a moving speech
and counsel to the scholars as they embark
on their new lives in boarding.
We then paused to acknowledge our
A-Level and GCSE students, who, despite
a turbulent year of virtual teaching, learning
bubbles and lateral flow tests, achieved
impressive examination results way above
the national average. A-Level results were
the best ever in EYLA history too. Amara
Agwo gained four A*s and will be going to
University College London to study European,
Social and Political Studies. Giovanni
Buabeng gained three A*s and one A; going
to Nottingham for Computer Science, and
Joba gained four As; he will go to Bristol for
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Our GCSE results were celebrated with
an overwhelming abundance of 8s and 9s –
our top three were Eszter Geredzi – eleven
GCSEs grade 7-9, followed closely by Ernesta
Amoah with ten GCSEs grade 8-9 and Daniel
Kupoluyi with nine GCSE grade 7-9.
Ray Lewis lifted the room with his recollections
of the graduates’ journey and
growth; there was a standing ovation for
all and for the ‘Supreme E’s’; Eszter, Ernesta
and Emmanuella, who each attained outstanding
GCSE results, securing their
boarding school places.
Lauren King, scholars tutor, astounded
us with her emotionally charged rendition
of ‘Be a Lion’; our parent voice came from
Denise Parks who delivered a motivating
testimonial about her own journey from
the previous year. Deshawn Gordon, Class
of 2020, read the poem ‘Invictus’ and the
Class of 2021 sang the academy song as
the graduation drew to a close.
This was another inspiring graduation
event, anchoring the values of Eastside
with our community of remarkable young
leaders, scholars and alumni.
To the class of 2021 – we honour you
and charge you to go forward and do yourselves,
your families and Eastside proud.
2

WINTER 2021
YEAR 7
Gibrille Bangura
Windlesham House
Preparatory School
YEAR 7
Sarah Jade Benson
St Mary’s Calne School
YEAR 7
Matthew Waruiru
Ludgrove Preparatory
School
YEAR 9
Awa Secka
Monkton Senior School
YEAR 9
Daniel Isaac
Stowe School
YEAR 9
Etinosa Iyen
Old Swinford
Hospital School
YEAR 9
Jaydin Rianto
Monkton Senior School
YEAR 9
Munachimso Nwabueze
Rugby School
YEAR 9
QaiyanThompson
The Royal School
Wolverhampton
YEAR 9
Raymond Kaliuta
Tonbridge School
YEAR 9
Sophie Mburu
Canford School
YEAR 9
Toluwaloju Gbadamosi
Benenden School
YEAR 10
Claire Mukuru
Lancing College
YEAR 12
David Olubiyi
Woodhouse Grove School
YEAR 12
Ernesta Amoah
Millfield School
YEAR 12
Eszter Geredzi
Wellington College
YEAR 12
Emmanuella Adewole
City of London
Freemen’s School
3

EYLA SCHOLARS
from Bedford to
Lancing College
a scholar’s journey
Claire Mukuru joined MKYLA in 2018 with a dream to attend boarding
school. Claire has just joined Lancing College, a historic school
campus based on the South Downs, West Sussex; we caught up with
Claire to find out about her first few days living the dream.
Claire Mukuru (and her mum)
How was the drive/journey to school?
The drive to school took place on Wednesday
1st September and felt a lot like a series
finale. As a family we had been anticipating
this day for months and suddenly it
had arrived. I was really looking forward to
arriving at Lancing, meeting all the other
new people but at the same time, I knew I
would miss home. The journey was smooth
but I was fidgety; it was as if I didn’t quite
know what to do with myself.
I felt selfish, leaving my family for this
amazing opportunity but I knew that was
just my nerves getting the better of me
since it was all for the best. However I
kept thinking about all the other
scholars and how they were feeling
as we all went separate ways.
Was it sad to say goodbye?
Saying goodbye was a little bit sad
but more so when I got round to
my younger brother.
I knew he would feel my absence
the most, I had always made it a duty to
play with him or talk to him when he was
bored and he didn’t come for the journey
to drop me off to school; he was the first
goodbye. Upon arriving at Lancing I felt
hollow as I watched the car drive away
without me. I never thought I’d see this
day arrive – I was excited yet numb as
I watched them leave. I know I have a
support system at school and in the house
– but it was a tough day!
Describe the first night?
The first night wasn’t great. I was alone
because my roommate hadn’t arrived, I
couldn’t get my thoughts to slow down. I
was restless all night and didn’t get much
sleep; I hated the unfamiliarity even after all
the preparations and visits – it was strange.
First school day?
The first school day was Friday 3rd September
11.00am to 3:35pm. I couldn’t help but
feel jealous of all the younger school years
due to start on the following Monday but I
got through it. Before I could catch myself
4

WINTER 2021
I had already made friends, I love meeting
new people and new teachers and I am
proud to say I didn’t get lost too much!
Food?
The food – I will quickly grow accustomed to
all of the new flavours. We have three meals
each day other than non-chapel Sundays.
On a normal Sunday we have brunch and
supper. The menu for lunches and supper
is different every day with a salad bar and
dessert always available. It’s usually a
cooked breakfast with hot drinks and/or
fruit but some days they have pastries.
First impressions?
My first impression was based on the
grounds of the school. It’s breath-taking
and medieval looking with acres of land
all around. The grounds and space are a
huge bonus when we are moving around
between lessons, low congestion definitely
reduces stress. The people are friendly
and kind, especially in my house. Friendships
are formed quicker even when not in
your own year. Obviously not everyone is
friendly but that’s just life.
First surprises?
My first surprise was how open people
were to share their school advice and experiences
to help me and all the new people
out. It was like a second rule book from the
student perspective which was so helpful.
Comparison between new school/home
and previous?
Lancing College is very different from my
previous school. The grounds are a lot
bigger. It used to take me a minute to get
to my next lesson, here it takes anywhere
from three to seven minutes to move
between lessons – that was something I
needed to adjust to.
My timetable is also very different, my
lessons are now 35 minutes, not 55 minutes
as I was accustomed to. Settings are much
more accurate and the range of people
you meet here is extraordinary, my peers
are from countries around the world as
opposed to local.
The boarding life is polar opposite to
home life. For instance, at home I did not
need to label my belongings but by contrast,
in boarding school I label everything!
It is harder to get time alone, I share with a
roommate and 70 other girls in the house
– it is always busy; learning names and all
of the basic things about those I live with
is a challenge, but a pleasant one. The rules
don’t allow much flexibility – I’m either
there or I am late and will get a punishment
for being late. It was a challenge to
adapt but easier than I first thought. House
friendships are key; they are with you
almost all the time and it’s very helpful to
have them onside.
Anything else?
I would say don’t ever be afraid of anything
as it will only hold you back. If I had
seen all of the challenges as an obstacle, I
wouldn’t be where I am right now which I’m
eternally grateful for. I wouldn’t have met
the people I now know – sometimes fear is
good but when it stops you achieving great
things it becomes a hindrance. Throw yourself
in – I have and I am looking forward to
growing into a new and improved version
of myself.
II It was a challenge
to adapt but easier
than I first thought.
House friendships
are key; they are
with you almost all
the time and it’s
very helpful to have
them onside.
5

PROFILE
congresswoman
Stacey Plaskett
On 28th October we were honoured to host a visit from
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett from the United States
House of Representatives, US Virgin Islands.
The visit was organised by our Chair
of Trustees, Matthew Hagopian. Delegate
Plaskett shared her journey to
congress, including her firm stand for
human rights in her work as an attorney.
Her visit was a special moment
in Eastside’s history.
Fitzroy Andrew shared: “An honour
and a privilege to spend an hour or so
with a woman who personifies grace,
power and wisdom. You might have
watched Stacey Plaskett hold the
world’s attention during the Trump
impeachment. Trust me when I say
that she is way more impressive in
person – touched down in the UK at
6.00am and still found the time and
energy to make it across to Eastside
Young Leaders’ Academy to share her
knowledge and insight.”
II You might have
watched Stacey
Plaskett hold the
world’s attention
during the Trump
impeachment.
Trust me when I
say that she is way
more impressive in
person.
Fitzroy Andrew
We first met Congresswoman Plaskett
via zoom in May 2021
6

WINTER 2021
7

INSIGHT
the last were first
It’s now almost the end of our summer holidays 2021 (school and
university) and although Covid is still in the news, thankfully, it’s not
the first item, nor is it as much the deadly force it was – my fingers
are crossed!
Tomi (and Sommie)
Covid has been replaced by other news
items like exam results, university places
and naughty politicians. I’m sure that one
day, as young people, we will look back
amazed at how we came through the
Covid-19 pandemic.
We are all preparing to return to school,
college or uni and they all have their own
rules of engagement – social distancing,
lateral flow tests, virtual learning, the list
goes on. We can’t wait for it to be all over.
But when I look back in say five or ten
years’ time it will be the doorstep clapping
for the NHS workers on Thursday night
that I’ll remember, not the wretched rules.
It won’t just be because of the work they
did (even without the pandemic I saw them
as heroes because of my mother and the
other mums and dads at Eastside who work
for the health service).
The reason I’ll remember Thursdays is
because it’s the first time I could really see
the upside down kingdom (of God) I hear
of in church but don’t see in the community.
The kingdom where little people mean
a lot, where ordinary people are given
status, people like my mum, a simple nurse,
and supermarket staff, delivery drivers etc.
Somewhere in the Bible Jesus said the first
will be last – through COVID-19 this really
was true – for a while at least – the least
were the greatest.
This invisible enemy called Covid
transformed the status of 10.6 million
under-appreciated members of society
into ‘essential workers’. I clapped for them
and vowed to become like them (but more
money please). When the rest of us were
forced to step back into our homes these
guys stepped up, like soldiers in a war,
risking their lives – “greater love hath no
man“. It must have been like this in America
on 9/11 – on that day a firefighter had the
same value as the CEO of a top company.
Well it’s now almost passed and as I said
above Covid is no longer the ‘number one’
news priority, like all things (good and bad)
it came to pass; it didn’t come to stay.
Already I can see that things are back
to normal. CEOs are back on top demonstrating
once again that ‘wherever men are
rich and strong they will rule’. During lockdown
we could see that creation was being
healed as pollution drastically decreased
and environmental threats delayed – now
the cars have returned with a vengeance
and they all seem determined to reassert
themselves as polluters in chief.
Covid saw the best of Britain: inventiveness,
compassion and equality. It also
saw the worst: some people made obscene
amounts of money and benefited from
the misery and suffering of others. Minorities
suffered disproportionately in the
unequal struggle especially given the light
of George Floyd. It made us chuckle to see
how companies and schools revamped
their diversity policies.
So what of it? When I look back however
high I climb the greasy pole, I recognise the
truth is we need each other and every so
often through war and pestilence nature
reminds us of this and we have the opportunity
to rebalance the scales.
8

WINTER 2021
meet
austin
It’s with a cheerful heart
that I greet you as the new
Leadership Programme
Director.
I am really excited to join Eastside and
I am looking forward to being able to
bring my expertise to the academy.
I have an extensive background
in education, having taught at secondary
schools, further and higher
education institutions across London
and run a tuition business. My main
subject focus is English.
My family originate from Kenya and
I’m a father of four. I love sport, especially
football and I’m an eager reader
with a love of literature.
I am keen to see young people aim
high and achieve their potential. No
doubt my background, passion and
experiences will help me to propel our
young leaders forward in numerous
ways.
I’d like to thank the staff team for
helping me settle into my new role
along with all the parents and young
leaders who have warmly welcomed
me to Eastside.
Thank you all for your support and
together let’s finish 2021 strong and
get ready to have an excellent new
year.
Austin Gacheru
9

international rescue
The UK was the first G-7 country to commit 0.7% of its income
toward humanitarian assistance/international aid; now it
seems they are the first to leave.
Nyala
In 2020 the Chancellor announced a
reduction in overseas aid to 0.5%. The
pandemic, it seems, has a chokehold
on the UK’s wallet. Although 0.2%
sounds like a mere drop in the ocean,
as Mother Theresa once said “…the
ocean would be less without that
drop”. For many millions across the
world that drop is life or death.
I was born in Ethiopia and even
as a young person I have first-hand
experience on how overseas aid can
be helpful. Last summer I helped on
a project focused on girls’ education
funded by overseas aid – that charity
is now likely to close. Although I am
a humanitarian, not an economist or
politician, common sense tells me that
charity begins at home and if finances
in your country/household are tight;
you cut back – right? If your output
exceeds your input then your
upkeep will be your downfall.
This is what sense tells me,
it is obvious and logical, and these are,
as we are often told, ‘unprecedented
times’ and the pandemic has hit the
national purse hard.
Another strand of common sense
however tells me that we have been
through ‘unprecedented times’
before and no doubt will again; the
last world-war is but one example.
The Great War however should also
remind us that when we needed help
(in cash and human collateral) people
and governments overseas came to
our aid at great cost (to themselves).
For example more than 16,000 West
Indians fought and died in defence of
the realm, far more Indians – in fact
Churchill himself praised the bravery
and burden borne by these service
personnel.
At times of pressure it’s tempting
to act with restraint and practise
‘charity at home’ but I don’t think
we should do so at the expense of
our values. It’s at these times that
we (and the world) can see what we
really are. We are not the European
version of Donald Trump’s ‘America
first’? This pandemic and the international
unrest remind us that we
never know when we might need our
friends. At times of hardship we reach
out, not retreat.
Overseas aid is in our interest; to
withhold looks bad especially when
we see philanthropists such as Bill
and Melinda Gates stumping up £93.5
million to help plug the gaps following
our decision. Also our former European
partner, Germany, has increased its
overseas contribution. Ultimately it is
in our interest because of the spiritual
optics – remember the words of wise
King Solomon: “whoever gives to the
poor lends to God” (Proverbs 19:17) or
as Jesus put it “whatever you do for
the least of these, you do unto me!”
An aid worker collects health and (mal)
nutrition data during a field visit in
Mandera, northeastern Kenya. July 2009.
10

WINTER 2021
SPOTLIGHT ON
amara
Agwo
It’s very difficult to write an
article about Amara without
appearing as though it is a
promotional piece but I’ll do
my best. Perhaps I’ll begin
with why I’m writing – the
world needs more like her
and “I wish I was (more)
like her”. In an age of idol/
celebrity worship, Amara is a
role model, definitely one to
watch.
Angela Adeyemo
Amara is about to commence a degree
in European, Social and Political
Studies at University College London,
including a broad base in political
sciences, humanities and French.
She’ll do a Geography specialism and
spend her third year abroad in France.
THE SEED
Amara’s family hails from Nigeria;
mum, dad and two siblings with
Amara in the middle. Amara started
at EYLA aged nine. Two years later
she was amongst the first girls in
the history of Eastside to depart for
boarding school having secured a
place at the prestigious Sherborne
Girls School in Dorset where she was
eventually appointed Head Girl. In
her own words “Going to boarding
school was the best thing for me.
Being in a nurturing and exciting environment
was really helpful and got
the best out of me. I knew it was the
right place for me during my first visit.
Every year felt richer and deeper and
having a host of opportunities at a
young age is more helpful than words
can say.”
THE BRANCHES
Amara studied A Levels in French,
Religious Studies and Geography and
received A*s in all her subjects this
summer; by the way her GCSEs were
also all As.
At school, she became involved
in a range of activities around social
justice including a research project on
the refugee crisis and a poetry slam
TEDx performance; the piece explores
privilege and our duty to fight for the
disadvantaged – an issue close to
Amara’s heart. In her summer before
university, she completed two internships
– one with Eastside Young
Leaders’ Academy and one with The
Catalyst Collective, a mentoring nonprofit
organisation for Black girls
and women. She was selected for
the Rank Foundation School Leadership
Award, which involved attending
leadership days and completing a volunteering
placement.
II Going to boarding
school was the best
thing for me. Being in a
nurturing and exciting
environment was really
helpful and got the best
out of me.
THE FRUIT
Now aged 18, this organised, diligent,
quietly confident and focused young
women is considering policy making
in the Civil Service or a think-tank.
Aspiring to a career in the third sector
she hopes to start her own social
enterprise focusing on innovative
solutions to complex social problems.
Whatever she does, she will most
likely be at the forefront of creating
positive change.
You heard it here first, friends, Amara
– remember me when you come into
your fiefdom.
11

THE
INVITATION
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for and if you
dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your
dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets
are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own
sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have
become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain mine
or your own without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the
tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful,
to be realistic, to remember the limitations
of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story
you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation
of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty
even when it is not pretty every day and if you can
source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure yours
and mine and still stand at the edge of the lake and
shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.”
12

AUTUMN 2021
It doesn’t interest me to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and
despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be
done to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the centre
of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what
or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be
alone with yourself and if you truly like the company
you keep in the empty moment.
A poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Oriah is a spiritual counsellor and story teller.
13

MENTORING
potential and power
On a cold November day in 2020, Chloe Lewis made a decision.
As the daughter of Ray Lewis she understood the need for
culturally aligned role models. (Ray Lewis set up EYLA as a
mentoring organisation for Black boys). Chloe decided that
she had a mission to unlock the untapped potential and
capability for greatness that exists within every Black girl.
Ernesta Amoah
Her solution – The Catalyst
Collective; a mentoring programme
run by Black women, for Black
women. The concept was simple;
Chloe believed that by pairing Black
girls with the right kind of support,
she would achieve her mission – the
concept of The Catalyst Collective
(TCC) was born.
Six Eastside girls started TCC in
January 2021. Six Black professional
women, trained by TCC would now
become our mentors; to guide and
support each of us to achieve all that
we aspire to be. The meetings took
place virtually via Zoom. Fast forward
to the end of year celebration (which
took place at Eastside) and it was
clear that our mentors were deeply
impacted by us, their mentees. We
had ignited a spark which has become
an inferno of sheer determination and
ingenuity. We finally met our mentors
in person, reflected on our virtual relationship,
laughed, ate pizza, played
games and shared gifts – it was a
magical experience. I have not yet
graduated from university but this
moment had an important buzz – this
was my graduation into role modelling
and I want to be like my mentor.
As the inaugural group of Catalyst
mentees, we will now go on to
support The Catalyst as it grows, and
will form part of the exciting Catalyst
youth advisory board - supporting the
induction of new mentees and advising
mentors along their journey.
I understand a good role model is a
central component in shaping the way
I dream, think and behave. This essential
ingredient makes this programme
so important, The Catalyst successfully
offered me something distinctive
to our existing high impact leadership
intervention at Eastside; when your
mentor looks like you, sounds like
you, and yet has achieved what you
dream of and still has time to push
you towards your goal – it is a valuable
yet priceless experience.
TCC is an explosive intervention
which has transformed my life forever
– thank you Chloe Lewis and The Catalyst
Collective team; having a mentor
I can identify with made me feel more
confident and at ease – if my mentor,
who is similar to me has succeeded – I
now have the faith and believe that I
can do the same. A programme that
uplifts the next generation of Black
girls is absolutely invaluable.
Chloe Lewis, founder of The
Catalyst Collective, is the
daughter of Ray Lewis, founder
and CEO of Eastside Young
Leaders’ Academy. Chloe is an
alumnus of the Black Heart
Foundation, she holds a Master’s degree in
Education, works as a civil servant, and is
currently studying in her second PhD year.
14

WINTER 2021
COMMENT
where’s W…y?
Chris Witty became a household name in our community in
Newham, East London. For a while conversations about Chris
(and Covid) replaced knife crime and youth violence.
Godfred
Witty, with his wispy hair, and his
best mate Pat (Vallance) became
the voices of calm in the stormy
UK; Britain’s version of Dr Anthony
Fauci. Each evening we would pause
between mouthfuls of jollof rice (or
spag bol) to digest the sober reality of
death and the new word ‘exponential’.
I kept wondering how Mr Witty’s
kids must have felt to have their dad
in the spotlight (I don’t know if he has
any kids). ‘If that was my dad’, I wondered,
‘would I think he looked cool?’
Every evening Wispy Witty and Sir
Patrick Vallance brought us the latest
grim update and although it was a
sombre moment, I laughed as they
would call out “next slide please”. Is this
the best technical face of our government
– “next slide” – don’t we have a
gadget that can make the next image
appear?
Despite my (tongue in cheek)
comments above there was something
missing during these focused
moments; one glaring absence during
these daily Covid news updates.
My dad said it reminded him of the
national briefings during the Falklands
war. This (Covid) was a time of national
emergency, almost like being at war, a
serious time – after all we nearly lost
our Prime Minister. We brought on the
scientists, for credibility, and a senior
government minister, for gravitas, but
I kept wondering “Where’s Welby?”
Where is our spiritual leader? Where is
the spiritual leadership and guide that
we needed in this dark hour, in this
Christian country?
Surely we needed someone to
invoke the divine! Perhaps even a
national call to prayer. Of course we
welcome the PM (or senior government
figure) escorted by the angels
of GoodWitty and MercyVallance
Professor Chris Whitty is Chief
Medical Officer for England,
the UK government’s Chief
Medical Adviser and head of
the public health profession.
but please, people are dying. At least
once a week as we count our fallen
they could have brought on the man
in the purple dress to bring a divine
message! Perhaps even a prayer.
All over social media there were
messages from soothsayers, naysayers
and other players bringing
spiritual messages and urban myth. I
got lots of messages and interpretations
of Bob Marley‘s Natural Mystic
blowing through the air and extracts
from the prophecies of Nostradamus.
There were environmental evangelists
The Most Reverend and Right
Honourable Justin Welby,
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
and Primate of All England.
calling me to repent and save the
planet, but no Welby – the Archbishop
of Canterbury, head of the Church of
England – not a word. In fact in this
dark hour it seems as if the church
was on retreat.
The local church to which I belong
was active (as always) in our local
community and we ran a food bank
for those in need, but what we
needed most, what the country
needed was some soul food – sadly it
seemed the cupboard was bare.
15

kenya in the park
Kenya in the park is an annual event for diasporic Kenyans
across the country to celebrate and cavort (carnival style)
with friends, especially non Kenyans, in recognition of their
unique contributions and relationship with the UK.
More than 30% of our young leaders
are of Kenyan heritage (overtaking
the Nigerians) and double the
number of Ghanaians.
Each year Eastside is given guest
of honour status and our young
Leaders turn up to volunteer and
collect money for charity. This year
was perhaps more significant than
most as we all celebrated the ability
to meet as a large crowd following
the government green light on large
gatherings.
16

AUTUMN 2021
17

lewisham
Young Leaders’ Academy
at St Dunstan’s College
Anne Collard
Eastside Young Leaders was the first young leaders’ academy
in the UK, established in 2002 and modelled on the Young
Leaders Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. It thrills us
19 years on to acknowledge our newest institutional family
member, the Lewisham Young Leaders Academy – set up by
our sister academy Westside YLA.
Westside Young Leaders but crucially
for the community of Lewisham, which
will no doubt benefit from the excellent
support provided. It will help students
access high quality educational and
learning programmes, regardless of
their background and working with the
other young leaders academies carve
out pathways to further education
and employment whilst preparing the
Since our genesis we have seen the
establishment of Southside, Westside
and Milton Keynes young leaders’
academies, and today we congratulate
Westside for their recent news.
Lewisham Young Leaders opened
its doors this September, in partnership
with Lewisham Council and
St Dunstan’s College. A group of
parents and community leaders were
driven to act by the attainment and
outcomes disparities for African Caribbean
children in their local area. They
recognised that the young leaders’
academy model would be the best fit
to address this imbalance and achieve
positive outcomes for their youth.
This is a significant step not only for
young people for leadership in their
community, city and country.
From all of us here at Eastside, a
massive congratulations to the founders
of LYLA, the WYLA trustees and
the incredible team that is: Andrew
Muhammad, David Okoro, Mark
Muhammad and Kirsty Jones.
18

WINTER 2021
SPOTLIGHT ON
the other
James
Brown
The last issue of Visage featured our very own James Brown.
Both JBs were soul seekers, one famously through music and
the other as a devotee of Christ. We learned previously about
James Brown Junior’s journey through an inner city education
to Oxford University. James is now in his second year.
Omar Pierre-Williams
We asked James for an update on
his experiences since we last ‘interviewed’
him for Visage when he told us
that he was ‘keeping his head down,
his options open and enjoying the
journey’. Now we want to know what
his hopes are for the second year –
academic, extra-curricular, personal.
James came to visit us in the
summer, along with Mike Humphries,
Principal and Chief Investment
Officer of Polygon Global Partners
where James is doing an internship.
Mike was delivering a career
insight workshop at our ‘pathways to
employment’ programme. Lewis took
great pleasure in berating James for
his radical career shift from theology
to finance – the divine to the dollar!
Year one at Oxford was very much
a honeymoon year albeit with lots of
interruptions due to Covid, lockdown
and other restrictions. Academically
it was a year of challenge as James
found his faith explored and explained
by scholars and sceptics. Nonetheless
his time at Wellington College was
useful preparation for this forensic
review as James admirably ‘contended
for the faith entrusted to the saints’.
It was the Wellington connection
that brought him into contact with
Mike and they made a powerful tag
team as they unravelled the complexity
of private equity. James spoke
eloquently and passionately about his
Oxford progress and dreams and the
work of Polygon. Young Leaders were
enthralled and bombarded him with
questions.
Our interns were particularly struck
by James – his enthusiasm, maturity
and perspective – following his first
year (albeit restricted) at Oxford has
certainly added value.
One of our interns, Esther said,
“I heard people saying that James
has grown tremendously since he
embarked on the Eastside Scholars
programme. Seeing a change so big in
a person gave me hope. If that amount
of growth can happen in such a short
space of time, then anything is possible.
I asked James for the secret of
success and he told me to seize all
opportunities. Working at Polygon was
such an opportunity. There was also
one other thing he said that stuck with
me; he said be aggressive! The combination
of aggression and humility seems
very weird but it is something I intend
to pursue - aggressively. From now, I
am aggressive, and I am humble.”
Commenting on James’ visit, Mark
Kosgei said, “James was confident and
funny. He inspired me to follow my
aspirations. A key word which struck
me that I will take away from James is
“networking”. I understand now that
it is an essential factor for success –
making connections and talking with
more people (even if that means stepping
outside of your comfort zone).
Networking will open doors to more
opportunities”.
James told us that he is aware that
the second year at Oxford will be a big
step up from the first – intellectually
more challenging, organisationally
more demanding, but he is looking
forward to more in person interaction
with tutors and peers, the opportunity
to support the African Caribbean
network and to relish debates at the
Oxford Union.
Left: The quad and coat of arms (inset) of
Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford where
James is studying.
19

A TRIBUTE TO
lady Debbie Buffini
After six years of faithful service we said goodbye in August
to Lady Debbie Buffini (née Chao). Debbie joined the Board of
Trustees in 2016 after ten years of long association through
the Buffini Chao Foundation.
Debbie is a lawyer, mother of three,
married to Sir Damon Buffini. In a
sentence Debbie brought the gift of
connection, an effective networker
and apologist for philanthropy. She is
ubiquitous and seems to know everyone
– a skill that benefited Eastside
muchly! She chairs the Buffini Chao
Foundation which focuses on education
and opportunities for children
and young people in the UK and
beyond. Debbie has a commitment
and interest in the arts, especially
the National Theatre and the English
National Ballet.
Debbie was instrumental in spearheading
our efforts towards a very
successful youth violence programme
(Antebellum).
Lady Debbie was an active and
engaged trustee and certainly knew
‘where the factory was’. Speaking of
her departure alumnus Marcus Kerr
said, “Debbie is an amazing person
who brought a lot to our meetings
and mission. Many of us young
leaders know of her contribution to
Eastside by her physical presence
and practical suggestions. She will be
missed but her legacy remains.”
Copyright © EYLA 2021
www.eyla.org.uk
Visage magazine is published by the Eastside
Young Leaders’ Academy, Bignold Hall,
Bignold Road, Forest Gate, London E7 0EX UK
Telephone: 020 8522 1000
No part of the magazine may be produced in
any form in whole or in part without the prior
permission of EYLA. All material published
remains the copyright of EYLA and we
reserve the right to copy or edit any material
(manuscripts or images etc) without further
consent.
IMAGE CREDITS
Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy: all images
unless otherwise specified
Buffini Chao: page 20
Fitzroy Andrew: pages 2-3, pages 6-7
geograph.org.uk: page 18 (St Dunstan’s
College, Catford from road: © Copyright Dr
Neil Clifton and licensed for reuse under
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA
2.0). Source: https://www.geograph.org.uk/
more.php?id=3096772)
parliament.uk: page 15 (Justin Welby, The Lord
Archbishop of Canterbury: Photographer:
Roger Harris. This file is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
Source: https://members-api.parliament.
uk/api/Members/4252/Portrait?cropType=
ThreeTwo&webVersion=false)
Richcam Media: inside front cover, pages 16-17
(except five women selfie)
Shutterstock.com: front cover, page 4 (Lancing
College: Philip Bird LRPS CPAGB), page 8,
page 14 (two women), page 10 (aid worker
in Mandera, Kenya: marlenefrancia), back
cover (clapping at the door: Eric Johnson
Photography), page 19 (Regent’s Park College,
Oxford coat of arms)
WikiMedia: page 15 (Dr Chris Whitty:
Photographer: unknown. This file is
licensed under the United Kingdom Open
Government Licence v3.0 Source: https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S960_-_
Chris_Whitty_-_Chief_Scientific_Adviser.
png), page 18 (St Dunstan’s College, Catford
Photographer: Dawn Long and licensed for
reuse under the Creative Commons CC0
1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:St_Dunstan%27s_College_(2016).jpg),
page 19 (Regent’s Park College, Oxford – the
quad in Spring: Photograph by Tpot123. This
file is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution 3.0 Unported Source: https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Springquad.
JPG
20

Setting up for Kenya in the Park.

Bignold Hall Bignold Road London E7 0EX
020 8522 1000
info@eyla.org.uk
Charity number:1093977