By Hannah Jobber, Sixth Form Leader for Equality and Diversity

On Thursday, March 20th, 2025, Mulberry Academy Shoreditch was honored to host The King’s Trust Mosaic Iftar for the fourth time. We were delighted to welcome influential guests, including Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy; Farhana Ibrahim, a King’s Trust Young Ambassador; Dan Lawes, Co-CEO of My Life My Say; and Jonathon Townsend, CEO of The King’s Trust.

The King’s Trust is a charitable organization dedicated to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background or their challenges, has the opportunity to succeed. Mosaic is a fantastic programme which supports students’ personal development by connecting them with mentors. By supporting young people from diverse backgrounds, the Trust helps them develop the confidence and skills they need to live, learn, and earn.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, and iftar—the breaking of the fast—is often celebrated collectively. This event brought together influential leaders from diverse backgrounds, alongside teachers and sixth-form students from Mulberry Academy Shoreditch and Mulberry Stepney Green.

The evening began with an inspiring introduction from our former Head Boy and Head Girl, Titi Hassan and Diana Lita, who reflected on the numerous opportunities that Mulberry Academy Shoreditch has provided them. Jonathon Townsend then introduced our speakers, each of whom shared their personal journeys and insights:

• Farhana Ibrahim spoke passionately about her commitment to changing lives and highlighted the challenges faced by Muslims and ethnic communities in the workforce. She encouraged attendees to take action to challenge these inequalities.

• Mete Coban MBE is widely recognised for making policies more accessible to young people. His message was clear and empowering: our backgrounds and beliefs should never hinder our ambitions, and we all have the potential to create change.

• Dan Lawes, an award-winning campaigner, shared his remarkable journey of co-founding Youth Politics UK in 2017, demonstrating how young people can take initiative and make a difference.

Their stories resonated deeply with us, reminding everyone that individuals from “disadvantaged” backgrounds can succeed and are entitled to opportunities that allow them to shape their futures. As students in Tower Hamlets, we are acutely aware of the challenges our borough faces, yet events like this remind us that we, too, can drive positive change.

The event perfectly aligned with Mulberry Academy Shoreditch’s core values of ambition, inclusion, and community. It was a truly memorable evening that left a lasting impact on all who attended, reinforcing our commitment to fostering an inclusive and aspirational environment for all students.