The JAGS Foundation, which recognises youth excellence, supports those bereaved by youth violence, and seeks to challenge youth violence at its root causes, will host the inaugural Outstanding Community Heroes and Inspirers Awards ceremony – the OCHI Awards – on 23rd November 2019.
The awards will recognise the achievements of young people who have overcome difficult circumstances to achieve academic, entrepreneurial and community leadership success.
JAGS was founded by community leader and campaigner Tracy Ford, following the tragic death of her son James Andre Smartt Ford, who was killed in 2010 by an unidentified attacker.
Tracey Ford said:
“This award ceremony will recognise the exceptional achievements of unrecognised future young leaders and the contributions they have already made to the positive inspiration of others.
“London is facing an unprecedented crisis of children killing children. In amongst the despair and violence, some have fought adversity to excel in entrepreneurship, in education, in the workplace and in the community. On 23 November 2019 we will come together for an awards ceremony and an evening of music and entertainment to celebrate these inspirational heroes.
“I am tired of the negativity of many news broadcasts around young people. It is rare that we see the positive stories. We launched the OCHI Awards to contribute to positive messaging. The support for the awards has been heart-warming and we look forward to a great evening.
“Through JAGS and the Awards, we want young people – especially young black children – to realise that they can achieve financial freedom without resorting to negative perceptions of what they can become. Oftentimes the propensity towards crime is borne out of a need for respect, power and money. These young inspirers show how these needs can be met through a different path.”
With support from a range of businesses and organisations including MDC Group, Hemraj GoyalFoundation and Preferred Tubes the OCHI Awards are:
● Outstanding Educational Achievement Award
● Youth Award
● OCHI Young Entrepreneur of 2019
● High Achiever of 2019
● School Fundraiser of the Year
● Community Contribution Award for Service
● Service to the Youth – Special Recognition
● Hemraj Goyal Foundation
● Special Award for Outstanding Young Women
● Special Award for Outstanding Young Man
● Anne & Bill Cardey Award for Outstanding young community leader
● James Andre Smartt Ford Award Chosen by Tracey Ford in honour of her son.
