Tesse Akpeki highlights the work of one charity battling the effects of adversity to provide educational opportunities to young people with the toughest of backgrounds.
I am watching the news. Another young person has been stabbed. The last few weeks have broken my heart as three young teenagers have lost their lives and more mothers and fathers mourn the loss of their children. It is easy to feel helpless and hopeless in the face of overwhelming loss.
It's with this in mind that I reflect on my own good fortune, and particularly in having come in contact with Generating Genius, an organization set up by Dr Tony Sewell. Based at University College London, Generating Genius works, alongside a wide range of partner schools and universities, with hundreds of high-achieving children and young people from challenging backgrounds where there has been no tradition of entry to higher education. Through two personalised support programmes, Junior Genius (for children aged 12 to 16) and Uni Genius (young people aged 16-plus) Generating Genius aims to enable at least 90 per cent of participants to win places at elite Russell Group universities. It focuses on STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.
The board of Generating Genius ticks so many boxes in good leadership. It is an intergenerational board, with trustees drawn from a mix of different ethnic groups, white and black trustees working side-by-side, with diverse perspectives different professions and one dream. The board partners with the chief executive to fulfill a vision to achieve what is possible. Blue-chip corporate sponsors such as Google, BT, Bank of America, and RAF to name a few have bought into this vision. One young person off the streets and into higher education, is one less person at risk of harm.
I am inspired beyond belief at the hope that is possible and of the difference that can be achieved by shaping a more positive future. As I reflect on the accomplishments of Generating Genius, I am reminded of three ingredients of success:
(i) refusing to settle for yesterday’s achievement. If what I did yesterday still looks big to me today, I probably have not done enough today;
(ii) refusing to sit around waiting for tomorrow’s opportunities. Between the great things we can’t do and the little things we won’t, the danger is that we’ll do nothing. Generating Genius reminds me of those who do things not just merely talk about doing them;
(iii) a vital message to young people - refuse to let their beginnings dictate their end.
George Washington Carver spent his early years shuffled between foster homes. Despite his disadvantages, he never became bitter or spent so much as a moment getting even. A father of modern agriculture, he is credited with over three hundred different inventions.
Academic mentors for the Uni Genius programme have made such a difference to sixth form students. It comes as no surprise that Generating Genius won the prestigious European Diversity Awards, from sponsor Societe Generale and chief executive Dr Tony Sewell has been included in the London Evening Standard‘s list of the 1,000 most influential people in London. All hands on deck to help disadvantaged children, the vision brings hope in hopeless place.
