Brenda Edwards has vowed to continue late son Jamal Edwards legacy. Jamal was awarded an MBE for his great contributions to music in 2014. The British entrepreneur, DJ, and founder of SB.TV an online platform on YouTube, was an outspoken ambassador for The Princes Trust. SB.TV showcased emerging British talent that needed to be acknowledged and with the help of this platform artists such as Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Stormzy along with many others were given a steppingstone to launch their careers. Jamal had the second most popular video of the year in the UK in 2011, his impact socially and economically was great. Jamal had managed to bridge the gap between UK and USA music, managing to secure online interviews with Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Wiz Khalifa.
In 2014 Edwards assisted the launch of the Queen’s Young leaders Programme and actively worked to raise awareness surrounding mental health, on one occasion opening up to Music Week “Anxiety comes over me at the most random times. I wanted to create awareness. As much music is my entry point, I feel a responsibility to talk about these other issues.” Edwards was extremely active in the bettering of young people’s mental health, collaborating with the mental health charity CALM.
As the unfortunate news surfaced concerning his death on the 20th February 2022 many artists and public figures came forward, to express their sadness and gratitude to his contributions. Lady Leshurr, the Birmingham native musician, who had worked closely with Edwards said it was “heart-breaking” to hear the news, as he “gave opportunity after opportunity to showcase talent from Brum to London. We need to keep his name alive.”
King Charles III the founder of The Princes Trust stated, “His work in music but also as an ambassador for a new generation, including his work for The Princes Trust, were an inspiration to so many.” Brenda Edwards plans to keep making young people feel empowered by continuing her son’s legacy. The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust held a fundraising event and raised over 100,000. The gala was hosted by Terry Crews and featured performances from Ed Sheeran, Jessie Ware and Max Cyrus along with a surprise performance from Lewis Capaldi.
I’m in tears. So heartbreaking to hear the news of Jamal Edwards prayers to his family and loved ones nothing makes sense anymore @SBTVonline
— #CARMEN (@LadyLeshurr) February 20, 2022
As Brenda speaks on the impact of supporting the youth she says, “I think I can sum it up in two words- self-belief- and that’s what this is all about.” She recounts an instance where Jamal had reiterated, she should have self-belief when she was previously battling cancer, as she said he told her “Mommy have some self-belief” she continued to say “- and that’s what we need to get out of young people for them to remember, because the young people are the future of tomorrow and it’s important for me to give them that platform so they can feel empowered.” The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust is currently developing a scholarship programme and back to work scheme for young people facing homelessness in partnership with Centrepoint the leading youth homelessness charity in the UK.
