BBC Children in Need have announced that they will be matching Stormzy’s £10m pledge to help fight racial inequalities in the UK. Children in Need will also be partnering up with BBC Radio 1Xtra to develop programmes to support young black people.
The announcement was made by Dotty on The 1Xtra Breakfast Show this morning. Dotty spoke about Stormzy’s pledge and said he “inspired a movement.” She went on to explain the plan, saying; “BBC Children in Need will work with young people and 1Xtra to develop a plan that will support individuals, organisations and groups in all areas of the UK, and fund a range of activites that will enhance young black lives.”
BBC Radio 1Xtra will also have a programme to develop radio presenters and also tell the stories of the communities who receive the funding from Children in Need.
Children in Need will donate this money over ten years. The funding will be available to support young social entrepreneurs in making a difference in their local communities. It will also enable access to education and learning to develop young people’s skills and confidence for work. The funding will be delegated by a panel of young people and volunteers with direct experience of the Black British experience.
Speaking about the plan, Kenny Imafidon, trustee of BBC Children in Need, said: “I can speak for the entire Board of Trustees and all the staff at BBC Children in Need when I say, we were really inspired by Stormzy’s pledge. I am excited about this new fund and I truly believe that this is the beginning of greater things to come, as we continue on our mission to support children and young people most in need.”
It is not surprising that Stormzy has inspired so many others to step up, as he is constantly working to fight inequalities in the UK. Last month, Stormzy announced his pledge to donate £10m over ten years, which is half of his net worth, to “organisations, charities and movements that are committed to fighting racial inequality, justice reform and Black empowerment within the UK.” He has also stated that even though he is announcing this ten-year plan, it will be a lifetime commitment.
In 2018, Stormzy offered to pay for two black students to go to Cambridge University and also has a deal with Penguin to help young black authors get published in the UK.
Stormzy will be donating £10m to support causes which are commited to fighting racial inequality, justice reform and Black empowerment, over the next 10 years.
Brilliant initiative by #Stormzy.#Merky #BlackEmpowerment pic.twitter.com/0VAht2SoDJ
— Abdul Hamid Faruki (@TjpAbdul) June 11, 2020
Children in Need currently funds over 3000 charities and projects in the UK that help disadvantaged children and young people. The charity already has funds that address the specific challenges that face young black people but want this additional funding to go even further to create opportunities.
