A Massive Well Done to Usman Ali, Executive Director of 21UP Movement

Usman Ali, Executive Director of 21UP Movement

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievement of the 19-year-old Usman Ali, Executive Director of 21UP Movement, who delivered a powerful closing speech at the 2nd Annual Active Essex Foundation & Youth Sport Crime Prevention Conference. Usman's remarkable journey and unshakable resilience are truly an inspiration, not just to us but to all those involved in youth development and crime prevention.

As a key member of the 21UP Movement, Usman took on the challenging role of leading interviews with an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including Roger Hirst, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner; Lewis Richardson, a Team GB Boxer and Olympic medalist from Paris 2024; Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council; Caleb Jackson, Head of Change with Youth at the Youth Endowment Fund; and Graham Helm, Community Sports Lead at Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Streetgames, among others. His ability to navigate these interviews with confidence and poise was nothing short of extraordinary.

Usman’s progress within the 21UP Movement has been an inspiring example of resilience and leadership. Many of his peers who participated in 21UP’s early projects, including the anti-knife crime music video “Foebt Fully - Choices,” faced significant life challenges, with some incarcerated for sentences ranging from 1 to 15 years. However, Usman chose a different path, defying the odds. His determination and positive mindset show his peers that with the right approach, anything is achievable.

A particularly poignant moment during the conference came when Usman paid tribute to a childhood friend who had recently been released from prison. Usman had promised this friend that he would help him find a new sense of purpose and connect him with influential people—promises he wholeheartedly delivered on. His commitment to uplifting others and guiding them toward a positive path is truly commendable. During his closing speech, Usman proudly acknowledged his friend’s efforts to make better life choices, proving that even the hardest challenges can be overcome with support and determination.

We were also fortunate to have Eddie as our secondary cameraman, capturing some amazing moments throughout the day. We can’t wait to share the footage with you soon!

Once again, a massive well done to Usman Ali, Executive Director of 21UP Movement, for his outstanding contributions. Your journey continues to inspire, and we are excited to see where your leadership takes you next. Keep shining brightly—your family and everyone at 21UP Movement are incredibly proud of you!

#21UPMovement #YouthEmpowerment #ActiveEssex #Inspiration #CommunityLeadership #EssexCountyCouncil

https://youtu.be/4MrcR4vykTE?si=nFKywCcVSUtZ09-N

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