Jamal Edwards trust to open creative careers hub

A creative centre to help disadvantaged young adults secure long-term employment is being built in west London in honour of the late music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards.

Opening in Action this summer, the Self-Belief Community Hub will support 31 young adults aged between 18 and 31 years old.

The launch of the hub by the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust marks four years since the sudden death of the SBTV founder, who died when he was 31.

Jamal's mother, Brenda Edwards, who founded the charity, told BBC Radio London: "It's bittersweet, but it's amazing to be able to continue Jamal's legacy. I know he would be so proud."

Describing how young people needed creative spaces and employment support, Brenda said the community should "come together with action".

"Talk is cheap, but action can make change, to support these young people and build them up in the community," she said.

"It's about putting back into the community as much as we can."

The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust was set up by his family after his death in 2022.

In 2024 the trust launched a programme designed to help 18 to 31 year olds with employability skills, offering paid internships and masterclasses.

The scheme has already seen success, with several of its young people finding paid employment in the creative industry.

Built on the same housing estate in Acton where Jamal grew up and recorded his earliest SBTV content, the centre will have a co-working spaces and a subsidised kitchen to provide daily hot meals.

There will also be co-working spaces and a recording studio.

The centre will be funded by partnerships with creative companies, who will both invest in the young people, and offer employment opportunities in creative industries, Brenda said.

According to the The Sutton Trust, young people from working-class backgrounds are four times less likely to work in artistic fields compared to their middle-class peers.

"It's been amazing... just getting that acknowledgement from young people," she said, adding that some told her they didn't think they "belonged in that space" or "could apply to be in that space".

"It's about giving them hope," she added.

Jamal left a "letter of wishes" with his will, which set out his hopes to help young people and is the guiding force for Brenda and the trust.

The music entrepreneur rose to fame after setting up SBTV in 2006, which was credited with helping to launch the careers of numerous UK artists, including Ed Sheeran, Dave and Jessie J.

He was awarded an MBE for his services to music in 2014.

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