Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at DMU launches national reading challenge

A national reading challenge which encourages communities of young people to be a part of the legacy of murdered Black teenager Stephen Lawrence is being launched for Easter.

De Montfort University Leicester's (DMU) Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC) is working with The Reading Agency so that community libraries across the UK can help run the challenge, which invites everyone from toddlers to teenagers to take part in reading events.

The events will help young people to explore key themes linked to National Stephen Lawrence Day, which takes place each year on 22 April, including hope, care, love and friendship.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of Stephen's death. Stephen was just 18 when he was murdered in a racist attack in 1993.

Following a Government announcement in 2018, April 22 is recognised as national Stephen Lawrence Day and a celebration of Stephen's life and legacy.

Stephen Lawrence's mother Baroness Doreen Lawrence is the former Chancellor of DMU and officially opened the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, on the DMU campus, in 2019.

The centre is a hub for academics, students and schools to drive forward conversations that will shape and influence how we think about race and social justice.

Baroness Lawrence has previously said that reading is one of the most powerful forms of education, adding: "It is a private, self-led journey that can take us to places we could never imagine and open our minds to experiences that are different from our own.

"Through reading, we can develop empathy and connection with others and the world around us.

"Just as Stephen had a bright future ahead of him and dreamed of a successful career as an architect, I believe that reading can be a gateway to new knowledge and experiences that will help young people build a better future for themselves and for society."

Sherilyn Pereira, Public Engagement Manager at the SLRC, said: "Working with the Reading Agency means Stephen's legacy will be talked about in libraries up and down the country and everyone, whether they are from the inner city or in a rural town, can help celebrate Stephen Lawrence Day.

"Each year that we run the Reading Challenge we are inspiring young people to think about the role they can play in creating a society where everyone can thrive."

It took Baroness Lawrence and her lawyer Imran Khan, KC, 18 years to finally see justice for Stephen when two men were found guilty of his murder and the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, which investigated why it took so long, found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.

Baroness Lawrence talks frequently about "the three C's" - classrooms, community and careers - and Stephen Lawrence Day. The day focuses on giving young people a voice to help create a society which treats everyone with fairness and respect.