We were deeply honoured to welcome Dr Stuart Lawrence to Sydenham High School for an inspiring and thought-provoking session. Dr Lawrence shared his personal story of loss, resilience and purpose following the tragic murder of his elder brother, Stephen Lawrence, who was just 18 years old when he was killed in a racist attack in South East London in 1993.

Speaking candidly, Dr Lawrence reflected on his experience growing up as the middle child in his family and how Stephen’s death shaped his life journey. He described the challenges he faced returning to school after the tragedy and his long and painful wait for justice. Over time, he found strength in using his voice to educate and inspire young people, encouraging them to take positive action and be the change they wish to see in the world.

Dr Lawrence reminded pupils that “life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”, urging everyone to focus on what they can do today to make a difference. He introduced his powerful mantra H.O.P.E — Help One Person Everyday, highlighting how even small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of change.

He also spoke about the importance of continuous learning and open-mindedness in tackling racism, emphasising that education and empathy are key to building a fairer society.

The girls were very engaged and asked insightful questions about Dr Lawrence’s experiences and the whole audience enjoyed repeating his rallying cry: “I am a revolutionary!” as we all look at ways we can focus on our words, actions and effort to make others feel understood and make the world a better place, after all tomorrow is not a given so we must enjoy each day!

After the talk, Dr Lawrence stayed behind to sign copies of his books — Find Your Voice and Be Your Best Self and Growing Up Black in Britain — both of which encourage young people to channel positivity, self-belief and understanding into their own journeys.

The event sparked meaningful discussion among pupils, leaving everyone inspired to reflect, take action, and continue shaping a more inclusive and compassionate community.