Students at a degree awards ceremony were told there are fake role models about but that they were the “real deal”.
Educationalist, Dr. Tony Sewell, told graduates from Newham University Centre (NUC) that they should encourage young people in the inner cities to achieve.
He gave a speech to around 200 people including graduates, their family and friends at the centre’s East Ham Campus.
Dr. Sewell taught former students such as race equality campaigner, Doreen Lawrence OBE.
Dr Sewell said: “The fact is that you have gone though this journey, you had a lot of balls in the air, and you got through it. Now, no one can say that you can’t do it. There are some fake role models around but you’re the real deal.”
Dr. Tony Sewell runs Generating Genuis, a charity that seeks to turn young people from challenging backgrounds into academic achievers.
More 70 NUC students completed courses in leadership and management, counselling, combined studies, education studies and teaching.
Forty-per cent of the graduates gained a first-class grade.
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