Two mothers who lost their sons to knife crime in London have teamed up with a social enterprise, which is calling on big businesses and entrepreneurs to do more to support community projects in the fight against street violence.
The two women will be speaking at an event held in the PwC offices in central London on Friday 11th November. Susan Woods, 43, from North West London, and Jada Bailey, 48, from Waltham Forest, both lost their children to knife crime in recent years, and have pledged to take action to ensure no other parent gets to experience what they have.
Jada Bailey, who lost her son (19-year-old Jaden Moodie) to knife crime in January 2019, said: “I want to tell people my side of the story of Jaden and what led to his death. We all hear the media’s report when a young person is lost to knife crime, but it’s important to be able to hear our side, and so I’m really happy to be able to do that on Friday.”
Jada has channelled her heartbreak into setting up the Jaden Modie Movement, which empowers young people through playing sport and learning about nutrition.
Jada added: “We are here to provide a safe space for children to come here and be creative and find their way in life.”
Honouring the parents is being organised by British entrepreneur Ademola Jonathan Adeyeba, whose social enterprise 1000 Black Boys aims to inspire black boys and young black men to unleash their potential and live a life of purpose.
The event will also hear from Susan Woods, whose son Jalan Woods-Bell was tragically murdered in June 2021 on his way to school.
Susan said: “Since my son was killed last year my life has been turned upside. It is truly a tragedy and I want to do all I can to ensure no parent gets to suffer like me. I would love to be able to do whatever I can and I hope that Friday’s event is the start of that.”
Ademola, who founded 1000 Black Boys after personally witnessing and experiencing the impact of knife crime, said: “We need big businesses and entrepreneurs to start offering their support to ensure young people take a path that doesn’t lead to a tragic end to their life. We need their help to ensure the talent of young black men and black boys is realised, rather than lost to knife crime.
“We also need more media outlets to report on the actual personal stories behind these tragedies rather than use it as an ideological football. That’s why I’m so passionate about people being able to hear the stories of Susan and Jalan, and Jada and Jaden.”
The event is being supported by PwC who agreed to host the event at its London Bridge offices.
Ademola added: “As PwC has shown, businesses can often make things happen far quicker than local authorities and the government, with less red tape involved. They also get the opportunity to ensure the community that they serve works.”
Tickets for ‘Honouring the parents’ are free but are limited. To book your place, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1000-black-boys-november-2022-tickets-460105326417
