Portraits of local Black students during mental health workshops to be showcased at Southside Shopping Centre throughout Black History Month
Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth has partnered with artist and researcher Kay Rufai to bring his transformative S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys and S.M.I.L.E-ing Girls project to Ark Putney Academy.
The creative, research-led programme provided 27 young people with a safe space to explore identity, mental health, stereotypes, goals, and a sense of belonging.
Working with two dedicated groups, made up of 15 girls and 12 boys, the interactive sessions incorporated discussion, games, poetry, photography, and reflective activities. The programme empowered young Black boys and girls to challenge societal stereotypes and foster unapologetic joy with end-of-programme feedback highlighting that the students developed stronger communication skills, formed deeper connections with their peers, and gained confidence in expressing their feelings without judgement.
Jada, a student at Ark Putney Academy, added: “Being Black isn’t just about fitting into a category and being the same as everyone else; it’s about learning to embrace your differences.”
Upon completing the sessions, Kay captured portraits of each of the participating students, celebrating their individuality, pride, and joy. The portraits will be exhibited at Southside Shopping Centre throughout Black History Month in October, celebrating the students’ journeys and sharing their empowering narratives with the local community.
Shannon Reed, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, commented: “At Southside, we believe in the power of community and the importance of investing in the next generation.
“Partnering with Kay Rufai for the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys and Girls project at Ark Putney Academy has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Witnessing young people find their voices, embrace their identities, and build such strong networks of emotional support is exactly the kind of lasting, positive impact we strive to create in Wandsworth.”
Kay Rufai, Artist and Founder of the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys and Girls project, added: “I am incredibly excited to continue building our legacy with Southside as we return for our third exhibition at the centre. It has been a privilege to witness the growth of these brilliant young Black boys and girls, and I am especially proud that, for the first time in the UK, portraits from the S.M.I.L.E-ing Girls programme will be exhibited alongside those of the boys.
“Partnering with Ark Putney Academy for the fourth time and providing a public platform for Black children to tell joyful, powerful and counter-stereotypical stories about themselves is a profound affirmation of our mission. I am delighted that we are once again making this happen together.”
For more information on the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys and Girls Project, please visit: https://universoulartist.com/smiling-boys-project/
