In our final newsletter of the year, we would like to share our 2020 highlights with you! We are so proud of what we have achieved and excited to build on all of this work in 2021. We will continue to ensure our powerful members are truly at the forefront of change. From our team to yours - have a restful holiday and a very Happy New Year!
2020 WRAPPED!
January
We linked up with 84 Youth in Manchester to discuss the impact of violence in our cities & how we can build peace. Listen to the podcast here.
February
Andre premiered a documentary that he produced and directed about the Gangs Matrix at The Bernie Grant Arts Centre. Watch the short film here.
March
We wrapped up the 4WARD programme pilot with Essex CRC & BeNCH CRC. Over six months, our specialist intergenerational membership programme explored identity in order to empower men who identify as Black British, African, Caribbean & Mixed Heritage. We're so proud of all they achieved!
April
We launched 4Front Voices to uplift the voices of those affected by violence and the criminal justice system to amplify our experiences, ideas and vision. Read our pieces here.
May
We launched our first paid Youth Activism Fellowship to empower young visionary leaders with lived experience to explore their identity, identify the structural issues that impact our communities, speak truth to power and fight for the changes they wish to see in society. After graduating, our Fellows became the first cohort of 4Front Youth Activism Coordinators. Read their reflections on youth leadership here.
June
Following the police killing of George Floyd in the US, we joined thousands of protesters to demand police accountability & racial justice. 4Front's message was clear: the UK is not innocent. We highlighted the impacts of violent policing on our youth & communities, launched the Rest in Power resource to share the stories of victims of police & state violence in the UK & started a fundraiser to support healing & empowerment.
July
We featured in ‘Fighting the Power: Britain After George Floyd’, a BBC Three documentary about the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK. You can watch the documentary here.
August
We organised a protest at Tottenham Police Station to mark the ninth anniversary of the uprisings that took place across this country following the killing of Mark Duggan. Our members spoke powerfully about how policing can not increase safety whilst it inflicts such violence and harm & shared important resources to support the reimagining of what peace and justice could look like. Our work was featured in the historic September 2020 issue of British Vogue ‘ACTIVISM NOW’ & in rugby star Maro Itoje's new podcast.
September
We created spaces to honour, remember & pay tribute to Jahiem Legister-Hall & Anthony Adekola - integral members of our community, whose lives were cut tragically short. Although we all experience grief differently, together we can make space for communal & individual healing. 4Front Youth Activism Coordinators met with David Lammy MP (the new Shadow Secretary of State for Justice) and Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. We also helped organise a protest at New Scotland Yard to call for the Metropolitan Commissioner Cressida Dick to resign.
October
After years of fighting for investment in our youth & community, we launched Jahiem’s Justice Centre - the new home of reimagining justice, peace, safety & freedom for the next generation. As part of our commitment to building Jahiem’s legacy and in honour of the struggles Jahiem faced, this centre will address some of the most urgent needs in our community with transformative justice, healing and holistic support. Watch the launch here.
November
We welcomed new inspirational leaders who share our values, passion and vision to our staff team & spent time together, reflecting on our purpose, our individual and collective identity as well as what brings us to this work. We have an incredibly powerful team - united in our dedication and commitment to serve our youth and communities. Our work was recognised by MTV International with the “2020 MTV EMA Generation Change Award” for powerful work on the frontlines of the fight for racial and social justice.
December
We celebrated eight powerful years of transformation, empowerment & healing at The 4Front Project! We have not only built community - we have built hope. Our movement is stronger than ever! The fight for justice, peace and freedom is a lifetime's work, but we have already laid solid foundations to build upon.