My name is Sheri Lawal and I was raised and attended primary and secondary school in the borough of Islington. I went to college in South London and lived in Brixton for 12 years.
Following a Positive Action Training in Housing (PATH) programme, I gained considerable community work experience supporting the aspirations of challenged and vulnerable groups, through a variety of roles, such as Social Services, Education Welfare, Social Housing and Community Development, employment, training and education. I also enjoyed a long career with various housing associations, which enabled me to make positive changes in the way services were delivered.
I am the Founding Director of a community Organisation called Choices (London) C.I.C Ltd, also based in Islington, which was incorporated in August 2010 following voluntary redundancy.
I am a passionate social justice advocate which has led me to sit on several community groups.
I currently chair the Black Leaders Alliance, which I set up in 2019, to address the historical social exclusion and marginalisation of Afro-Caribbean individuals and communities in Islington, to make a real difference for Afro-Caribbean people through a collective of complimentary services, and to make landmark changes to BAME inequalities around health, employment, education, housing, finance, and business.
I also chair the Islington Stop & Search Community Monitoring Group and sit on various key multi-agency boards, including the Safer Neighbourhood Board Executive Committee, Pan London Stop and Search Community Monitoring Network, Independent Office for Police Conduct Community Reference Group, and Islington Citizens Advice Advisory Board.
I celebrate my African culture and heritage at every opportunity I can and enjoy hosting events that unite us positively.
