Two Lambeth men have been chosen to be national role models for black youngsters.

Matthew Ryder and Richard Reid are two of just 20 role models specially selected under the Government’s Reach programme to raise the aspirations and attainment of black boys and young black men.

In Lambeth this is a category that makes up 55 per cent of secondary school pupils.

Statistically, these pupils are less likely to do well at school and more likely to be unemployed and involved in the criminal justice system.

Reach was established in 2006 and a report in 2007 recommended that the visibility of positive black role models needed to be improved.

And so the hunt for national role models was launched.

Those chosen by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will now visit schools and youth projects and will help build a wide programme of mentoring work in their regions and communities.

Richard, 30, a fire fighter from Tulse Hill who has done a range of voluntary and mentor work in his community said: “My journey from boy to man has been hard and challenging at times. Having positive people around me made me confident to confront any difficult issues I faced.

"Being selected as a role model is a wonderful feeling and opportunity."

Matthew, 41, from Brixton Hill, is a leading criminal law and human rights barrister at the prestigious Matrix Chambers, and has been tipped to be one of the country’s first black Law Lords.

“I want to use my position to share with others the passion for learning that I developed in childhood. Once that passion exists, your self esteem grows and your priorities change,” he said.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham who lobbied for the Reach initiative, said too often young black men are only seen to flourish in certain fields - sport and music.

“Our Reach programme is about changing that and inspiring our young black men to achieve in all arenas,” he said.

"In Matthew and Richard, the Reach programme could not have chosen two better role models."

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