RISE.365 - Joyclen Buffong
Nominee Profile
Location: Hackney
Joyclen Brodie-Mends Buffong is a nationally recognised youth advocate, changemaker, and social entrepreneur with over two decades of unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting young people, particularly those from racially minoritised and underrepresented communities.
As the founder and Managing Director of RISE.365, Joyclen has led the creation of powerful, youth-led initiatives that centre inclusion, equity, and opportunity. Her work challenges negative narratives often projected onto young people of colour and replaces them with real stories of leadership, resilience, and potential.
Since launching RISE.365 in 2019, Joyclen has developed and led projects that not only serve the needs of young people but actively involve them in shaping solutions.
Joyclen’s work in the field of diversity and inclusion has been especially impactful. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for representation at every level, ensuring young people from all backgrounds feel seen, celebrated, and supported. Whether addressing food poverty, mental health, or systemic bias, her approach is holistic, culturally responsive, and rooted in community voice.
Her commitment has earned widespread recognition, including:
The Mayor’s Civic Award for community impact
Inclusion in the Evening Standard’s 100 People Shaping London (2024)
Recognition as one of the Häagen-Dazs International Women’s Day Top 50 Nominees (2024)
Featuring in The Guardian and the Donmar Warehouse’s WE. BLACK WOMEN. campaign, where actress Pippa Bennett-Warner celebrated her as a woman who empowers young people to be mighty
And most recently, Joyclen was honoured with an MBE for her outstanding services to young people and the community
Joyclen’s leadership and deep-rooted belief in equity continue to drive her mission — not only to support young people but to shift systems, change narratives, and build a future where inclusion is the norm, not the exception.
As the founder and Managing Director of RISE.365, Joyclen has led the creation of powerful, youth-led initiatives that centre inclusion, equity, and opportunity. Her work challenges negative narratives often projected onto young people of colour and replaces them with real stories of leadership, resilience, and potential.
Since launching RISE.365 in 2019, Joyclen has developed and led projects that not only serve the needs of young people but actively involve them in shaping solutions.
Joyclen’s work in the field of diversity and inclusion has been especially impactful. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for representation at every level, ensuring young people from all backgrounds feel seen, celebrated, and supported. Whether addressing food poverty, mental health, or systemic bias, her approach is holistic, culturally responsive, and rooted in community voice.
Her commitment has earned widespread recognition, including:
The Mayor’s Civic Award for community impact
Inclusion in the Evening Standard’s 100 People Shaping London (2024)
Recognition as one of the Häagen-Dazs International Women’s Day Top 50 Nominees (2024)
Featuring in The Guardian and the Donmar Warehouse’s WE. BLACK WOMEN. campaign, where actress Pippa Bennett-Warner celebrated her as a woman who empowers young people to be mighty
And most recently, Joyclen was honoured with an MBE for her outstanding services to young people and the community
Joyclen’s leadership and deep-rooted belief in equity continue to drive her mission — not only to support young people but to shift systems, change narratives, and build a future where inclusion is the norm, not the exception.