Standing Firm in Power and Pride: A Black Leader’s Journey in Youth Empowerment

Chris Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Young People’s Foundation Trust (YPF Trust) has over 30 years’ experience in youth services. He has been instrumental in driving positive change for young people – previously serving as Strategic Commissioner for Youth Services at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea before becoming CEO of the Young Brent Foundation for nearly six years.

Reflecting on this year’s Black History Month’s theme: Standing Firm in Power and Pride, Chris describes the resilience he’s had to develop to overcome challenges and his unwavering ambition to empower all young people throughout his career.

Read Chris’ reflections below:

For more than three decades I’ve dedicated my life to creating spaces where children, young people and communities feel empowered to shape their own futures. As a Black leader of Jamaican heritage in a sector often lacking diverse representation at the top, my path has been defined by ambition, resilience and a commitment to equity and justice. My ambition has never been about personal gain – it’s always been about collective progress.

I began my career as a Sports Development Coach before moving into detached youth work in Enfield, where I learned the power of presence, listening and trust.

Early on, navigating underrepresentation at all levels coming through youth work structures with limited access to leadership spaces was tough, but I overcame this by building strong networks, staying purpose-driven and leading with empathy and clarity. I was able to build my resilience by leaning on my experiences of growing up in 1980’s Tottenham, North London, with a tight community of family and friends.

Over time, I moved through roles that shaped policy and services, eventually becoming CEO of the Young Brent Foundation and later leading nationally as CEO of the YPF Trust. Each step reinforced my belief that leadership is not about titles, but about impact, integrity and the lives you change.

I’ve always been ambitious – not for status, but to open doors for others. It drove me to secure long-term funding in Brent, establish youth centres and services in Norfolk and lead cultural education partnerships worldwide. It has also pushed me to challenge the status quo, ask difficult questions and pursue bold solutions that put young people and their communities at the centre. I was once told, “When it becomes uncomfortable, you need to step up.” As my son would say, ‘You don’t just want to be at the table – you want to redesign the table so more voices are heard.’

Being a Black leader means navigating complex dynamics – whether it’s systemic bias, underrepresentation, or the pressure to constantly prove your worth. These challenges have strengthened my resolve and helped build my reputation as a transformational leader – undeterred by obstacles and committed to excellence.

One of my proudest moments was leading the Youth Review for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea after the Grenfell Tower fire. I helped create new Youth Services for the area’s young people – giving thousands a genuine platform to shape the services they wanted and needed.

My advice to other leaders of colour is to stay focused, be authentic, maintain integrity and lead reflexively to not allow prejudice or inequity in society hold them back. True dialogue and clarity of purpose are key.

Too often, public narratives around young people – particularly from marginalised communities – are shaped by deficit thinking. We must stop defining young people by their challenges and start celebrating their potential. Through strategic partnerships, inclusive programming and advocacy, I’ve worked to challenge this by shifting the lens from risk to potential, and from problems to possibilities. Appreciative inquiry has been central to this approach.

At the heart of my work is the vision of a fair and just society, where every young person can thrive, regardless of background. I serve on strategic boards, act as a trustee and lecture on a module for Global Health BSc (leadership and systemic change) at Imperial College London through the lens of violence that impacts young people.

It’s my mantra that justice isn’t a destination – it’s a daily commute to equity, inclusion and truth.

At the YPF Trust I’m proud to serve as CEO, leading a national movement that connects local communities, charities and stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for young people. What I enjoy most about my role is seeing how local innovation can drive national impact – when grassroots ideas become scalable models and partnerships turn into lasting change. My goal is to strengthen our network, amplify youth-led solutions and ensure that every young person – regardless of postcode or background, has access to the support and opportunities they deserve.

My journey is far from over. I remain committed to mentoring new leaders, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, and to driving innovation in youth and community work. The future must be inclusive, bold and unapologetically focused on social justice.