Earlier today broadcasting publication Sky announced that they have confirmed a two-year partnership with Lewis Hamilton’s charity foundation, Mission 44.
This organisation helps to include young people who are coming from social minorities in education and development towards industry sectors and professions. Mission 44 makes part of Sky’s £30 million commitment which is aimed at tackling racism. The organisation will be receiving over £1 million during the two years.
Lewis Hamilton had founded Mission 44 last July, “Understanding and addressing issues that lead to young people being excluded from school is really important to me. Having experienced unfair exlusions during my time at school, I understand how upsetting and stressful it can be.
“When we launched Mission 44 last year, implementing initiatives such as there was a personal priority and I am grateful to have the support of Sky to help Mission 44 take action. Through this partnership, I hope we can deliver meaningful change by arming schools with the proper strategies to support and empower young Black students, instead of giving up on them.”
Research carried out by the foundation have proved that Caribbean students are more likely to be excluded compared to white students and that is why Sky is helping to provide: grants which help such students in their education; support for the ‘Included’ researh project which is aimed to help such students have their voice heard about their needs and positive outcomes that can be achieved and they early career insight programmes which give such students an introduction on how to get into the telecommunications industry.
Sky Group’s CEO Dana Strong commented about the partnership, “We are passionate about tackling racial injustice and welcome the opportunity to partner with Sir Lewis Hamilton and Mission 44 to champion and empower young people. We hope our partnership will support Mission 44’s work to improve the experience of Black pupils and support them to succeed at school and beyond.”
Mission 44 CEO Jason Arthur also said, “Preventing social exclusions is an issue of social justice. Excluded students often must contend with a range of complex social and economic challenges, such as poverty, racism and mental ill-health, that cause them to face both disadvantage and discrimination in our education system.
“I’m delighted that Mission 44 will be working with Sky to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable learners in our education system.”
Head Image Credit: The Guardian