Super Samuel Kasumu’s aiming high

One of the country’s rising black social entrepreneurs is hoping to forge a career in politics – but not before he has helped the nation’s underprivileged youth get on the job market.

Samuel Kasumu has built a reputation as an individual who is actively looking to make a positive difference in society and acting both as an inspiration and a mentor for young people.

The 23-year-old has received a number of accolades over the years and was recently named in the top three of Britain's Top Real Role Model campaign.

Kasumu is the founder of social enterprise Elevation Networks (EN), which is a student-led charity created to help young people from underrepresented groups become more competitive in the jobs market as well as tackle social issues as youth crime and unemployment.

EN has over 8000 members and recently secured government contracts under the Work Programme.

It was while studying for a degree in Business & Management Accounting at Brunel university that Kasumu decided to change his outlook on life and make a positive difference.

Driven by his faith in god and inspired by the stories of great Black figures such as Martin Luther King and Marcus Garvey, Kasumu had the confidence to set about his mission to success.

In an exclusive interview with OBV, Kasumu said, “When I was 18, I wasn't the best of kids and at university, I remember thinking, I need to change myself. "I started reading about black leaders in history, the likes of Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, and Malcolm X amongst others. They are people who have made a difference and I was inspired by their stories.” He added, "I joined the Afro-Caribbean society at university and then got interested in journalism. I wrote a lot of stories, some which got published in the Voice. "Then I ran for the role of vice-president of the student's union and got voted in. It was a great feeling and I could see how I could make a difference and having a clear vision helps.”

Kasumu believes he is blessed and privileged to be able to make a difference and have the support of high-profile and successful mentors, including Andrew Selous MP.

Kasumu said, “What drives me is the ability to make a difference and a passion about building links and making a change. It is important to that you need to surround yourself with people, role models if you like, who have done well in their industries and can give you sound advice and inspire you to achieve.

Kasumu has a very interesting CV which includes sitting on the steering group for the London Week of Peace and the Olympic Committee Engagement Forum specifically for the black community.

He also sits on the No Barriers board at the British Fashion Council, helping to get more diverse groups into the industry.

“Hard work does pay off. You have to have strong principles and it’s important to find people who have achieved and learn from them.”

In 2008 he was the youngest person to feature on the UK Power List of top 100 most influential people from the African & Caribbean communities.

And he wants to enter the world of politics sometime in the future but is looking to get more business and life experience.

“My long term ambitions are to get into politics but I am using this time to get as much experience as I can and interacting with different communities and areas and hopefully make a real difference at a higher level.”

Click here to find out more about Elevations Network

Zohaib Rashid

Picture: Samuel Kasumu