here it goes...
I’m a multi hyphenate mumpreneur, wife, woman of faith, creative, consultant, speaker and coach! I am passionate about diversity and inclusion, committed to using the arts for transformation in the lives of those who are seen as the underdog, and those who have been negatively labelled or seem less likely to succeed.
My career stems over 20 years of work across children and young people services and the arts, moving into senior and Directorial positions within both the charity, and creative criminal justice field. I am founder CEO of Principal Housing which has allowed myself and the team to provide vital support to vulnerable young people and those leaving care, as they transition into adulthood with the nurturing, stability and the tools they need for independence.
As a skilled ethnographer, I design and and write for national and global initiatives, working with clients such as Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust, VIVIDA, BBC Children in Need, and more. My work is founded upon a deep commitment to diversity, equality & inclusion, shaped by both lived experiences and professional expertise. I hold an MA in Theatre and the Criminal Justice System from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Children and Young People Services: Storytelling for System Change. I leverage the arts, advocacy, and research to challenge societal injustices, particularly racial inequality, using storytelling as a powerful tool for education and systemic reform.
“Lennina recognised the greatness within me and made it her responsibility to ensure I worked towards the future I saw for myself.”
A creative activist, I have written for theatre in the criminal justice system, toured plays to Tony Bee Hall, London Probation, Corby Core and directed with The National Theatre youth partnerships programme. My verbatim play Backstory based on the lives of ex offenders, researched the rationale for offending behaviours and was toured to over 100 secondary schools (as well as to statutory agencies) utilised as an information tool and prevention and intervention methodology.
Alumni of Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and possessing an MA in Theatre in the Criminal Justice System, I utilise my acumen in the field of applied arts, business, youth work and not for profits in my consultancy work. Over the past 10 years in consultancy, I have merged creative and strategic methodologies for engagement and transformation for both my clients, their stakeholders and beneficiaries. Reviewing company strategies, delivering training to corporates and NGOs and generating income for clients, my focus is to support clients in building their organisations as well as aiding them to be well informed on strategy, engagement and business development methodologies, policy, and societal issues within the youth and arts sectors.
As a devoted academic and researcher, I have continued my studies, currently undertaking a Doctorate in Philosophy with a focus on storytelling for transformation in order to tackle Serious Youth Violence amongst other youth focused societal issues.