Sheri Lawal

Islington Gazette

Sheri Lawal is a community hero and works tirelessly to help Islington to become a safer and more equal place. Lawal is the founder and director of Choices, an organisation that facilitates access to education, training, and employment for young people, as well as offering support to local residents, helping to resolve benefits issues, and attending tribunals and legal appointments with locals. Lawal is also the chair of the Islington Safer Neighbourhood Board, the Islington Stop and Search Community Monitoring Group, the Pan-London Stop and Search Community Network, and the Black Leaders Alliance Community Korum. She is also a board member for charities across Islington including Elthorne Pride and the Islington Safer Neighbourhood Board, and is a member of many more.

Lawal also launched The Auntee Project in 2019, a project which advises young men of their rights in regards to being stopped and searched, as well as offering mentorship and advice.

"We are delivering this project so that people know the reasons why the police may stop them and what to do if they are not happy with the stop and search and feel that they have been treated unfairly.

It is safe to say that Lawal is a community powerhouse, stopping at nothing to see the community become a safer and fairer place to live. Her extensive experience is an inspiration to anyone wanting to give back.