The JAGS Foundation, which recognises youth excellence, supports those bereaved by youth violence, and seeks to challenge youth violence at its root causes, today announced the winners of the inaugural Outstanding Community Heroes and Inspirers Awards.

The awards recognise the achievements of young people who have overcome difficult circumstances to achieve academic, entrepreneurial and community leadership success. Awards were given at a ceremony in central London.

The OCHI Award winners are:

OCHI Entrepreneur of the Year, hairdresser Carl Campbell, said: “From nothing to something.  This is hard work, not natural talent. My message to young people is – set yourselves goals, work hard and go for it.   If you told me 15 years ago ‘Carl you’re going to be a dope hairdresser and have a salon’ – I would have laughed. I’m not doing this solely for me but to change generational wealth  amongst the young men and women coming up.”

Yasmin Creppy of Yayas Cake said: “Words cannot describe how much this award means to us.  We are two young entrepreneurs who have worked exceptionally hard, under circumstances which many deprive young people systematically under achieve and fail in.  If we can do it, so can you!

JAGS Foundation, a grassroots organisation, which organised the awards, was founded by community Leader and campaigner Tracy Ford, following the tragic death of her son James Andre Smartt Ford, who was killed in 2010 by an unidentified attacker who has yet to be brought to trial.