AMANI SIMPSON is an award-winning Youth Coach, Speaker and Filmmaker. He has become a role model to both young and old after sharing his story of being stabbed seven times. As a young person he struggled constantly after being bullied in school. Eventually he was expelled, arrested with an imitation firearm, and groomed to county lines. However, he was able to turn his life around through mentorship. He now lives to help steer other young people away from darkness.
Amani projects
Fast forward to the present day and Amani is really making a positive impact. In 2015 he founded a social enterprise called ‘AVIARD Inspires CIC.’ His company sets to empowers young people through personal development, digital media, and enrichment opportunities. He is also part of the founding team behind Apprentice Nation. Recently he has become the patron of The AMANI Project, an employability project in partnership with global corporates incl. Goldman Sachs. There, Black teens in need of a second chance are paired with professional mentors.
On top of that he is also a secondary school governor, on a number of influential boards and a trustee of London’s largest creative college! Amani uses his storytelling skills to create powerful social impact short films.
Flashback to his first film
His first film ‘AMANI’ starred Hollywood actor, Joivan Wade was about his experiences growing up and was watched one million times in four days! His latest short film ‘SAVE ME’ explores the need for contextual safeguarding to prevent young people being groomed and exploited. It follows two teenagers, connected through trauma, who embark on a cab journey in search of freedom.
SAVE ME has been released widely with digital resources incl. a facilitators handbook to enable national conversations in professional and youth settings. Amani’s mission is to be a servant leader who strives to add value to others through his lived experience, loving nature, and influential network.
To find out more about his impact and story please visit AmaniSimpson.com OR follow him on Instagram: @amani.simpson
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