You Be You
Member of the GEC Circle of Influence
Bio:
You Be You is a Lambeth-based organisation working with young people on identity, confidence, cultural heritage and belonging. Founded in 2019, we run two flagship programmes, the Youth Voice Programme, which works with young people aged 14–25 in secondary schools and sixth forms to build confidence, leadership and EDI skills, and the South Asian Art and Heritage Programme, which brings culturally rooted arts education into primary school classrooms across London, Birmingham and Bradford. Both programmes are built on the same belief: that culture, identity and life skills are inseparable, and that every young person deserves to feel seen. We are embedded in the communities we serve, not parachuting in. Our young people don't just learn about inclusion. They research it, present it, and live it.
Since 2019 our work has reached thousands of children, young people and families, with 76% of participants reporting increased confidence discussing EDI publicly and 89–99% positive engagement across all schools. You Be You is a four-time NatWest SE100 Impact Pioneer finalist and 2026 WISE Pioneering Woman finalist.
