What was life like before you joined Urban Synergy?
I joined Urban Synergy when I was in Year 8. I’ve always wanted to be a writer in some capacity. I had a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and passion for reaching my goals.
When Urban Synergy came along, it felt like I was finally being exposed to the kind of environments that would help me grow into the person I wanted to become. For many Black, Brown, and non-white kids from southeast London, those experiences are few and far between.
Urban Synergy took us out to visit businesses in Canary Wharf, where we got to meet and interview successful people who not only looked like us but came from similar backgrounds. That was truly invaluable. At that age, you need to see success to believe you can reach it, especially when you have people around you who genuinely want to see you win.
What has your experience been like as an author?
It’s been great, only through God’s grace. I’m currently working on Book Two, which is exciting. Working on The Situationship with the #MerkyBooks team was such a cool and rewarding experience.
How did Urban Synergy’s speed mentoring and events help you?
I remember the speed mentoring sessions and the panel talks they organised at school. When I tell friends who went to other schools about the kinds of opportunities we had through Urban Synergy, they’re always amazed that we got to meet and speak with such inspiring people at such a young age.
Those experiences made me a much more confident public speaker. I learned how to advocate for myself, present professionally, and put my best foot forward early on. All of which have helped me later in life.
Visiting the Thomson Reuters headquarters during secondary school was actually when I first thought I wanted to become a journalist. That’s when I really got into fashion magazines, culture, and current affairs. Urban Synergy mentors and some of my teachers recognised that passion and encouraged me to pursue it and to turn something I loved into a possible career.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a mentee with Urban Synergy?
Please do it. My pastor always says that to find your purpose, you need to surround yourself with people who are already doing what you aspire to do and that’s exactly what mentorship gives you.
If you’re from a working-class background, those goals can sometimes feel a world away. When you’re online comparing yourself to everyone else, mentorship brings reality back into focus. It gives you a pathway rather than just a dream.
A mentor can guide you through the mistakes they’ve already made. They're essentially giving you the cheat codes. And those lessons extend far beyond your career. Mentorship builds confidence, networking, and all kinds of interpersonal skills.
There’s no better motivation than having someone who keeps you accountable while inspiring you at the same time. Mentorship bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. For young people, that’s life-changing.