On 19 March, Birmingham Colmore hosted a dynamic and interactive workshop in collaboration with St Johns and St Peters C of E Academy in Ladywood, Birmingham. The session welcomed 22 boys from the school, aiming to inspire them to recognise their potential and understand that their current circumstances do not define their future.

The workshop featured a series of engaging discussions led by prominent speakers, including John-Jo Von Johnson, Head of Service at Birmingham Colmore; Olu, CEO of RG8 Security Services; Alex Tross, Head of Agency at Carter Jonas and Deputy Charity at Birmingham Colmore; and Rio Nembhard, Customer Engagement Analyst at Lloyds Banking Group. Students rotated through small group discussions, each speaker sharing personal experiences, challenges, and insights on resilience, confidence, and goal-setting.

Following the discussions, the boys participated in a hands-on activity led by Malachi, designed to encourage teamwork, reflection, and confidence. The workshop concluded with an open discussion, giving students the opportunity to share their takeaways and ask questions about personal growth and career aspirations.

Key messages from the day included the importance of perseverance, making positive choices, and believing in oneself. Alex Tross emphasized the idea of not letting one’s background define their future, while John-Jo, Olu, and Rio shared inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and pursuing their ambitions.

The event successfully combined honest conversation, practical exercises, and interactive engagement to leave a lasting impact on the students, showing that with confidence, ambition, and resilience, they have the tools to shape their own futures.