Alkebulan Ankh Mediation

James Gregory is the Founder & CEO of the Manchester-based Charity, Families Against Violence (FAM). The Charity has its origins in a tragic event over 13 years ago when the Founder’s son was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity in a gangland act of revenge. James personally experienced the lack of support for Black families in such tragic circumstances and resolved to do something about it. He founded Families Against Violence, a charity supporting principally Black and ethnic minority families in the Moss Side area with the over-arching aim of helping to prevent young people getting sucked into anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, gangs and violence. FAM works with hundreds of children and young people each week. The Charity uses sport, principally football, to engage with children and young people. Trained and experienced coaches can then mentor and become role models, helping sometimes hard-to-reach young people find pathways into training and employment and to have better life-chances. Separate from his role with FAM, James is the CEO of AAM. In both of these roles, and working with a network of experienced and inspirational coaches and trainers, he: – I. Networks with local and regional stakeholders, including in the criminal justice system; II. Acts as an advocate for addressing social injustices, particularly for Black and Ethnic Minority Communities; III. Plans, organises and runs sports events and activities for young people; IV. Plans and organises training events for young people; V. Manages a network of local sports coaches; and VI. Mentors young people. To support his role, James is a certified football coach and has obtained qualifications in ‘Working with Gangs’ and ‘Training the Trainer’, both from Birmingham University. He also has earned a mentoring Diploma from Manchester Metropolitan University. Feeding into his role with FAM, James spent 12 months as a Youth Worker for User Voice, an organisation that gives a voice to people in the criminal justice system. In that job he worked with young offenders in prisons help manage their reintegration into society.