S.M.I.L.E-ING BOYS PROJECT

Kay Rufai

The internationally acclaimed artist- Kay Rufai returns with a Wellcome Trust & Arts council funded research led mental well-being project for BAME Boys in London. The Project was created as a direct response to the rise in youth stabbings (1,299 in London between April 2017 and April 2018) which sparked a series of reactionary approaches from the government regarding tougher criminalisation of youth, more stop and searches and greater police presence in minority communities. This birthed the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project.

AUG 2020 The Season One Finale episode of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Podcast that explores the 8 Pillars of Happiness - Trust, Togetherness & Belonging, Health (Mental & Physical), Freedom, Security, Purpose, Money & Wealth and Democracy as it pertains to Black boys, and the wider black experience.

delivered a talk at the most recent S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Exhibition at Drapers' Hall exploring the core principles that inspired the creation of the project. . . The findings in the process of working with the boys & the unwavering commitment to challenge the institutions (schools, Art institutions, corporates, advertising, news platforms) that need to be doing so much more to put the well-being of Black boys at the fore of their conversations, policies, care package etc so that we can eventually begin to see a world were S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys is not a rarity. . . Have a listen, share and please get in touch if you're a progressive changemaker and can align with the mission to further amplify the impact of the project through partnerships, connections, funding etc

AUG 2020 This is A podcast that explores a public health approach to improving the mental health of black boys while challenging the negative stereotypes often associated with this demographic in the society. This is a happiness research informed podcast themed on the 8 pillars of happiness explored on my research trip to the top 5 happiest countries in the world, isn't that cool. I am the host and creator - Kay Rufai (@universoulartist) , a poet, photographer, playwright, mental health researcher hell…I just keeps myself busy with anything creative. So expect to hear interesting thoughts, discussions with professionals, changemakers and audio recordings from the young people that participated in the programme. So tune in and subscribe on your favourite platform so we can collectively create a world where young boys smiling is the norm not and not the exception.

JUN 2020 Delivered a talk at the most recent S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Exhibition at Drapers' Hall exploring the core principles that inspired the creation of the project. . . The findings in the process of working with the boys & the unwavering commitment to challenge the institutions (schools, Art institutions, corporates, advertising, news platforms) that need to be doing so much more to put the well-being of Black boys at the fore of their conversations, policies, care package etc so that we can eventually begin to see a world were S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys is not a rarity. . . Have a listen, share and please get in touch if you're a progressive changemaker and can align with the mission to further amplify the impact of the project through partnerships, connections, funding etc . . Let's continue changing the narrative for black boys from youth violence , knife crime, victims & perpetrators to smiles, aspiration, mental wellbeing, mental health. We held an exhibition of the most recent boys from the Drapers' school at the opulent Drapers Hall which brought parents/guardians/teachers and most of all the young boys into the space to see themselves.

APR 2020 The internationally acclaimed artist- Kay Rufai returns with a Wellcome Trust & Arts council funded research led mental well-being project for BAME Boys in London. The Project was created as a direct response to the rise in youth stabbings (1,299 in London between April 2017 and April 2018) which sparked a series of reactionary approaches from the government regarding tougher criminalisation of youth, more stop and searches and greater police presence in minority communities. This birthed the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project.