The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Never Forget Stephen Lawrence’ – a campaign and cultural programme that shines a light on the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, in partnership with Brixton Village, adidas, and South London based Charity Re:Sole.

Today is National Stephen Lawrence Day and sees the campaign launch with a cultural programme of webinars, morning assemblies with ambassador schools, the ‘Never Forget Stephen Lawrence’ short film; and the campaign’s only physical event in the UK – a large-scale exhibition taking over Brixton Village to commemorate the anniversary of Stephen’s death. In partnership with adidas, the month-long exhibition will take the form of 29 flags, installed across the iconic markets’ avenues, featuring portraits of leading figures by Max Cyrus who feature in the short film ‘Never Forget Stephen Lawrence’. Cyrus’ idea for the campaign was to highlight champions in society who Stephen would have been inspired by, had he been alive today. Amongst the exhibitions’ portraits are Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon; Rt Hon Stuart Lawrence; Isaac Chamberlain; Goldie; Maya Jama; Jermain Defoe; Speech Debelle; Max Cyrus; Kojey Radical; Hussain Manawer; and K-Triggz.

The short film will launch in full later this month, featuring Idris Elba, Ed Sheeran, Sir Keir Starmer, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Ian Wright, Noel Clarke, Maya Jama, Beverley Knight, Anne-Marie and Alex Beresford, with further notable figures who have lent their time and voices to support the work of the Foundation.

The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation was established amid unprecedented and growing global awareness of racial inequality and exists to inspire a more equal and inclusive society. Now teaming up with Re:Sole, founded by Moosa Nsubuga to provide fresh trainers to the homeless and disadvantaged youth at risk of drug abuse and gang violence; the Foundation is developing programmes and activities with a focus on education founded on their three core pillars: classrooms, community and careers.

As part of the campaign, Re:Sole will be donating ultra-boost adidas trainers and further footwear to NHS staff at King’s College Hospital alongside working with the Foundation and Brixton Village on a long-term partnership to deliver a new mentorship scheme to support and foster opportunities for marginalised young people in the UK.

Moosa Nsubuga, Founder of Resole CIC says: “As a 9 year-old hearing what had happened to Stephen Lawrence and subsequently going through my teens and twenties with the perpetrators still not being caught, I was left with a deep sense of unease as a young black man. Being able to work directly with the Foundation and Brixton Village to bring this exhibition to an area with so much significance for the black community leaves me with a sense of pride and belief. With these collaborative efforts we can bring real sustainable change for our young people, using the past as an educational tool.”

Diana Nabagereka, General Manager of Brixton Village says: “We are pleased to have worked with The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation and Re:Sole to amplify the Foundation’s important campaign ahead of National Stephen Lawrence Day. We look forward to working with both charities over the next coming months to build a successful mentorship scheme and help fight for equality change and promote both charities’ missions.”