IPARTY CIC - Empowering youths through fashion and creativity

by

By Chantelle Tindall

IPARTY CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company run by Mr. Abayomi Obaleye-George with the aim of discouraging youths from all backgrounds, but most especially of African heritage, from engaging in activities that put them in the streets as gang members and other harmful indulgences, which in turn, hinders them from achieving their great potential.

The company was established in 2015 with two other partners, but the youth empowerment programme has been in existence since 2003. Obaleye-George set up the initiative because he observed at the time, that children from ethnic minority backgrounds lacked post-secondary school opportunities that engaged them in other forms of personal and professional development, unless they attended a university.

It was following youth engagement in the first workshop in 2014 that the organisers realised how eager the youths were to be part of a creative hub - noting that the practical activities enhance their potential. According to him, it was the youths who came up with the idea of a Fashion show, which then led to a fashion and design training focused programme.

The organisers then realised how much of a positive impact this idea would have on the young. To their amazement, the fashion show initiative has opened doors for related skills like make-up artists, models, dressmakers, designers, and artists, etc..., to develop.

As a firm believer in diversity and inclusion, the programme also gives opportunities to everyone who needs it, no matter their ethnicity. This equality creates a bond within every ethnicity within the community.

One thing Obaleye-George noted was that within the community of children with African heritage, was the wide gap in communication and inclusiveness between children born in the UK and those who were brought to the UK at an early age. He also observed that the children not born in the UK felt out of place and insecure. He saw it as very necessary to "bridge the gap" because such attitudes only lead to the growth of discord within a community and that could in turn lead to gang violence and other misdemeanours.

According to him, the adult roles in the programme are mostly as mentors, teachers and role models who the children look up to. They are volunteers who give their time to teach the youths different skills in aspects of fashion design depending where their area of specialisation lies.

Challenges facing IPARTY CIC often arise when the children believe they can attend programmes especially those where they have to go away from home, without parental consent. They had to explain to the children the roles their parents must play before allowing them to become part of the empowerment programme.

"This is where the family holistic approach" comes in, he states. It is where the organisers meet the parents of the children in the scheme, intimating them about the activities they embark on, and, also informing, should the children want to attend any programmes, the parents will have to give their consent so the organisers do not face penalties.

While part of the challenges he faces as an events organiser with the IPARTY CIC is capturing the undivided attention of members of the public, he also observed that getting "people" out to attend social events in Manchester can often be very tasking.

Although they do extensive promotions of their events, members of the public usually accept to attend as support, but in reality most of them never turn up on the day which can be very deflating. Due to busy work schedules, most people of African heritage find it hard to socialise. This can often have a negative effect on an organiser both financially and mentally.

One thing is certain, his passion and love for events management is the driving force to keep carrying on as only through hard work and perseverance can one succeed.

Obaleye-George stated that keeping young boys and girls off the street through teaching and imparting valuable skills and knowledge which will sustain them in future, is what drives him; also hoping that these same youths would in the future, use their experiences to help other not-so-fortunate children they may see falling by the wayside. He firmly believes in young boys and girls because to him, they are the future. They will carry on the message, hopefully changing the status quo at some future point.

All this is why, come Saturday, 16th June 2018 at University of Salford, Manchester IPARTY CIC will be hosting Dark and Famous Fashion Exhibition Show 2018. The event is an opportunity for members of the public to see all the positive impact the project has had on the youths showcasing their talent and creativity. Obaleye-George has invited Trumpet Manchester to the Fashion show where we can witness behind-the-scene events and also interact with participants. I cannot wait.