S.M.I.L.E-ING BOYS CIC
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Mission Statement
The S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys mission Is to challenge the negative stereotypes of black boys while providing them with positive tools to navigate their mental well-being through creative arts.
About This Cause
In our work, the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys CIC aims to address the mental health needs of black boys while challenging the negative portrayal of this demographic in the media through research-led 8-week creative arts workshops. The issues we tackle are based around systemic racism, negative portrayal and representation of black boys and men in the media and it's impacts on this demographic in the education sytsem primarily and also the mental health and criminal justice systems. The project uses Photography, Poetry/creative writing & film to empower the participants to explore themes around race, identity, masculinity, sexuality and mental health. We also deliver a teacher CPD for the school and senior leadership team in order to empower them with the creative methodology so they can embedd this into their teaching and school culture. Through our alumni programme, we partner with brands and institutions to provide career insights, internship and paid wirk experience opportunities for the black boys to increase their social capital and boost their social mobility for the future. Through our work, we: 1. Challenge the negative stereotypes associated with black boys in the media and in society. 2. Centre black joy instead of black pain and sorrow which are typically associated with black narratives. 3. Celebrate the often maligned black boys who are the future 4. Provide a positive counter to the stark realities of 30 youth murders in London last year. 5. Build restorative and transformative community solutions. 6. Improve the mental health of black boys 7. Challenge and empower school leaders to create more equitable schools that are set up to support the positive mental health of black boys and everyone else.