AFRIKINDNESS
Nominee Profile
Location: Leeds
Afrikindness is a grassroots organisation making a powerful impact in breaking barriers related to race, faith, culture, and identity while supporting families who face poverty, exclusion, and inequality. Since becoming a registered charity in 2023, Afrikindness has delivered over 80 community initiatives, directly impacting more than 1,000 families across Leeds and beyond.
The organisation works with communities that are often considered “hard to reach”, many of whom experience language barriers, digital exclusion, cultural stigma, and limited access to services. Through mentoring, community engagement, and culturally sensitive training, Afrikindness helps families better understand education systems, safeguarding responsibilities, and available support.
A key achievement has been the co-creation of safeguarding and neurodiversity training packs, designed specifically for culturally diverse and underserved communities. These resources are now used in community training sessions to help parents and leaders understand child protection, mental health, and neurodiversity in ways that are accessible and culturally relevant.
Afrikindness has also been tackling digital exclusion, supporting parents who lack digital skills so they can access services, communicate with schools, and better support their children’s education.
Young people are at the heart of the organisation’s work. Afrikindness provides mentoring and leadership opportunities for children and teenagers, helping them develop confidence, leadership skills, and a positive sense of identity. Many of these young people come from families experiencing economic hardship or social isolation, and the programmes provide safe spaces where they can learn, share their experiences, and build resilience.
The organisation has also delivered community conferences and awareness events that bring together families, educators, faith groups, and professionals to address issues such as racial identity, discrimination, safeguarding, and mental health.
Through partnerships with schools, community groups, and public services, Afrikindness continues to build bridges between communities and institutions. Their work is helping children feel proud of who they are, empowering parents with knowledge, and strengthening community understanding across faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.
Afrikindness is creating lasting change by ensuring that every child and family — regardless of race, faith, or background — has the opportunity to thrive.
The organisation works with communities that are often considered “hard to reach”, many of whom experience language barriers, digital exclusion, cultural stigma, and limited access to services. Through mentoring, community engagement, and culturally sensitive training, Afrikindness helps families better understand education systems, safeguarding responsibilities, and available support.
A key achievement has been the co-creation of safeguarding and neurodiversity training packs, designed specifically for culturally diverse and underserved communities. These resources are now used in community training sessions to help parents and leaders understand child protection, mental health, and neurodiversity in ways that are accessible and culturally relevant.
Afrikindness has also been tackling digital exclusion, supporting parents who lack digital skills so they can access services, communicate with schools, and better support their children’s education.
Young people are at the heart of the organisation’s work. Afrikindness provides mentoring and leadership opportunities for children and teenagers, helping them develop confidence, leadership skills, and a positive sense of identity. Many of these young people come from families experiencing economic hardship or social isolation, and the programmes provide safe spaces where they can learn, share their experiences, and build resilience.
The organisation has also delivered community conferences and awareness events that bring together families, educators, faith groups, and professionals to address issues such as racial identity, discrimination, safeguarding, and mental health.
Through partnerships with schools, community groups, and public services, Afrikindness continues to build bridges between communities and institutions. Their work is helping children feel proud of who they are, empowering parents with knowledge, and strengthening community understanding across faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.
Afrikindness is creating lasting change by ensuring that every child and family — regardless of race, faith, or background — has the opportunity to thrive.