Shepherd's Bush Youngster Wins Peace Award
14-year-old is recognised for setting up 'anti-crime' campaign
A local teenager has won the London Young Person’s Peace Award for her groundbreaking campaign to tackle gun and knife crime in White City.
14-year-old Latyah McCarthy won the prize for setting up a project to provide alternatives to gang crime for young people in the area.
Two years ago, aged just 12, Latyah and her school, Phoenix High School, took part in an observational documentary called the ‘Giving Nation TV Challenge’, screened on the Community Channel.
With a grant of £250, participants had just five weeks to come up with a business idea that would benefit a local community cause.
In response to the rising number of teenage deaths in London resulting from gun and knife crime, Latyah and her friends organised ‘Open Mic Entertainment’ nights, showcasing the talents of local young people and giving them an alternative to gang crime.
Speaking about the project Latyah explained: "We want to get young people off the streets, performing music and taking part in something positive instead of gang crime. Gang crime is a big issue in our area and it exists because there is a lack of community activities and opportunities for young people. We believe that young people need positive ways of expressing themselves and getting involved with and supporting their community. The Open Mic night we organised provided the perfect opportunity!"
Latyah was presented with the £500 Peace Award last Thursday (18 September) by Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Iain Blair, and Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith.
"I was very excited and shaking when they called out my name,” she said. “It feels great to win the award which I am going to put it towards organising more Open Mic nights and projects to support young people in Hammersmith. For me, the Young Person's Award is recognition of how serious we are as young people about living in peace and clear proof that you can take action and make a difference no matter how old you are."
The ‘Giving Nation TV Challenge’ was devised by the Citizenship Foundation, an independent charity which aims to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education.
Andy Thornton, Director of Participation and Social Action at the Citizenship Foundation, said Latyah’s prize was well-deserved: "We are immensely proud to see Latyah's work recognised by the London Peace Award. The Giving Nation Challenge aims to unlock the potential of young people to take action to change their communities. Latyah is the perfect example of this,” he said.
On Wednesday 14th March 2007, just two weeks into setting up her project, 16-year-old Kodjo Yenga, who had been involved locally and nationally in campaigning against gun and knife crime, was killed in Hammersmith Grove by a single knife wound to the heart.
Latyah was devastated by his death and became even more determined to set up her Open Mic project as a tribute to Kodjo and his family.
The Young Person’s Peace Award is awarded annually to one young Londoner who has made the most outstanding contribution to their school or community.
20 September 2008
