An event in London on Friday 11 November will honour two parents who lost their sons to knife crime and have pledged to take action to ensure no other parent gets to experience their tragedy.

The two mothers, Jada and Susan, have teamed up with a social enterprise, which wants to encourage big businesses and entrepreneurs to do more to support community projects in the fight against knife crime.

Jada, who lost her son (19-year-old Jaden) in January 2019, said: “I want to tell people my side of the story of Jaden and what led to his death. We all hear the media’s report when a young person is lost to knife crime, but it’s important to be able to hear our side, and so I’m really happy to be able to do that on Friday.”

Jada has channelled her heartbreak into setting up the Jaden Modie Movement, which empowers young people through playing sport and learning about nutrition.

Jada added: “We are here to provide a safe space for children to come here and be creative and find their way in life.”

The event, Honouring the Parents, is organised by British entrepreneur Ademola Jonathan Adeyeba, whose social enterprise 1000 Black Boys aims to inspire black boys and young black men to unleash their potential and live a life of purpose.

Ademola, who founded 1000 Black Boys after personally witnessing and experiencing the impact of knife crime, said: “We need big businesses and entrepreneurs to start offering their support to ensure young people take a path that doesn’t lead to a tragic end to their life. We need their help to ensure the talent of young black men and black boys is realised, rather than lost to knife crime.”

Honouring the Parents will also hear from Susan, whose son Jalan was tragically murdered in June 2021 on his way to school.

Susan said: “Since my son was killed last year my life has been turned upside. It is truly a tragedy and I want to do all I can to ensure no parent gets to suffer like me. I would love to be able to do whatever I can and I hope that Friday’s event is the start of that.”

Honouring the Parents is supported by PwC, which has agreed to host the event at its London Bridge offices.

Ademola added: “As PwC has shown, businesses can often make things happen far quicker than local authorities and the government, with less red tape involved. They also get the opportunity to ensure the community that they serve works.”

Find out more about 1000 Black Boys.