On Saturday 31st May, Empower Your Roots (EYR) marked a proud milestone in its journey, celebrating six months of dedication to youth empowerment through boxing initiatives. The event took place at the Chadwell Heath Education and Cultural Society (CHEACS), drawing together parents, community leaders, and supporters for an inspiring awards ceremony.

Empower Your Roots was founded in November 2024 by local changemakers Arakoth Chowdhury, Furad Miah, Karim Rashid, and other like-minded individuals with a shared vision: to give back to the community by creating positive pathways for young people. What began as a grassroots initiative focusing on dragon boat racing and boxing quickly evolved into a structured programme engaging youth from the Chadwell Heath neighbourhoods and the CHEACS centre.

In just six months, the commitment of the young participants, along with the tireless support of parents and volunteers, has produced tangible results. These achievements were proudly showcased at the awards ceremony, which was attended by special guests including Cllr Bert Jones (Chadwell Heath Ward, Redbridge) and Nazir Ali, a community champion, Secretary of BRTUK, and a trustee of the Hedgecock Community Centre, Barking.

The highlight of the event was a boxing demonstration by six young participants, who showcased their skills in front of an enthusiastic audience. Under the guidance of dedicated coach Nimar Ahmed, each of these young boxers completed the full programme, earning accredited boxing awards, medals, and official EYR t-shirts.

“It’s amazing how these children have progressed. None of them had any prior experience, yet they’ve developed confidence and now have a bright future ahead,” said Nimar.

“Their dedication to boxing has transformed them from being reserved and introverted to shining stars,” he added.

Arakoth Chowdhury, Director and Programme Lead of EYR, echoed the sentiment:

“This is exactly why we founded EYR; to support and empower the young people in our community who just need a little encouragement and guidance.”

The event concluded with a photo session and light refreshments, leaving a lasting sense of pride and inspiration among all in attendance.

For more information about Empower Your Roots and their ongoing work in the community, please visit their website: www.eyrcic.org.