young & ambitious
Phillip Thompson
Design Consultant and REACH National Role Model
In December 2008, MP Hazel the cards we’re dealt with but you remember sending off over
Blears announced 20 national don’t have to accept them. 100 CVs and only getting one
role models as part of the REACH opportunity. I took it even though
initiative, selected to form the What difficulties did you the hours and commute was long
first national group of its kind – to experience growing up? and the pay was terrible, but I
help raise the aspirations and Stories from elders about being got my foot on the ladder. Three
attainments of young black boys. unable to achieve due to the colour companies on, I’m working for
Among them, 27-year-old design of the skin got me frustrated and at one of the biggest practices in the
consultant Phillip Thompson from that point I felt what was the point? Midlands. That decision paid off.
Wolverhampton, was chosen for My grades started to suffer and I
his ability to inspire, lead and got into the wrong crowd and in What kind of people did you
connect with young black boys. that period of time from 14-16 my recognise as role models when
With limitless aspirations and three close friends died from drug you were growing up?
an aim to start his own practice abuse and violence. At that point I put success down
one-day, Phillip’s ambitious nature to what kind of car you drove etc.
is undeniable. When Flavour met What was the turning point for At times I didn’t see my parents as
up with Phillip to learn more about you? Was it sudden or gradual? role models because they didn’t
his position, we were struck by The changing point for me was a have the money and that was my
his inspirational and charismatic conversation I had with my dad. focus! Now I think it’s important
persona and we wanted to find out He sat me down and basically told that young people have a true
what drove Phillip’s commitment me about his experiences, how perception of what success is.
to the REACH initiative and was he came up and his struggles. He
behind his drive to succeed. said if I didn’t make something of How hard was it for you to leave
myself all that he and my Grand- a life of crime and violence?
How did you get involved in the dad had done would have been in If you’re consumed by negativity
project in the first place? vain. I realised my responsibilities it’s very hard, but I think one of the
I put myself forward. I’d done a lot to my family and from then on in, characteristics of being a strong
community work before I entered it changed. I carved a path out for man – black or white – is doing
architecture. I felt like I was at a my life and here I am today. what’s right for yourself. I didn’t
stage in my life that I’d achieved know what my history was and it’s
enough and I wanted to give Did you ever get disheartened? hard to move forwards if you don’t
something back. Candidates were After finishing University I know what you’re coming from.
selected by young guys across the
UK. They didn’t choose the 20 role
models who had the 20 best jobs;
they chose the guys who had a
story and a journey that they could
relate to. I was put forward.
What are your responsibilities as
a role model for black boys?
To change the perception of
black boys within the media and
to encourage more black men to
step in as role models at a local
level. Also my role is to change
the perceptions of black boys
of themselves as the negativity
attached to the colour of their skin
can lower their aspirations.
Do you feel the education system
discourages black males?
I feel this happens due to many
factors such as the lack of role
models and the breakdown
of families. The breakdown of
communication between the
school and the family plays an
important part also. I remember
telling my teacher when I was 16
that I wanted to be an architect and
ds by Daina Anderson
go to university and they told me
or
it’s a waste of time you won’t make
W it. You just have to realise these are
YouNg AND AMbitious
27
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