'People wanting to listen is a step forward': Key voice for black community named as Northampton’s male role model

A Northampton man who has made it his mission to educate about race issues has been recognised with a role model award.

As part of International Men’s Day today (November 19), Northampton Borough Council ran nominations to find out who the public felt deserved to be hailed as a role model.

Tre Ventour, from Abington, has been crowned the winner of this award as he is considered a ‘key voice’ for young people and particularly the black community.

The 25-year-old was a sabbatical officer at the University of Northampton until June when he then became more involved in the Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council by hosting events and taking part in activism.

As a creative writing graduate, Tre then set himself up as a freelancer and started educating people about race and black history at companies and in universities all over the country.

Tre said: “I am just one voice, there are multiple perspectives on this and there needs to be.

“Not every person you speak to will want to talk about the issue of race as you are unpicking trauma, but I want to do this and that is an active choice.

“I don’t have to do it, I want to do it because I care.

“The fact that people want to listen now is a step forward.”

Several nominations were submitted for Tre who was described in one nomination as someone with ‘vast knowledge who has inspired and helped people to understand more about the world and implemented positive changes in a peaceful but passionate way’.

On winning the award, Tre was shocked but proud.

He added: “I don’t do this work for this incentive and I didn’t expect to even be nominated.

“I was surprised, but a good surprise that people have been impacted by what I do.”

Looking to the future, Tre has a lot of work booked in at universities and is also studying for a master’s in race, education and decolonial thought.

As part of International Men’s Day, Northampton Borough Council also awarded a special recognition award to a young man, which highlights a special individual achievement.

This award was presented to Year 13 student Charlie Atkins, who organised a TEDx Youth event featuring speakers from all around the world, including a Harvard University graduate.

To build on the success of his event, Charlie founded the Inspire Your Future initiative, which has curated a series of live talks with academics and students talking about their respective journeys and personal interests.

The aim of Inspire Your Future is to engage and empower young people, while encouraging them to develop their knowledge outside of the classroom.

Councillor Anna King, cabinet member for community engagement and safety, added: “We had such a strong field of nominees to choose from – testament to the hard work our local men and boys do in their communities.

“In the end though, Tre and Charlie were worthy winners and wonderful male role models who have worked really hard to improve the lives of others despite having to overcome various challenges posed by coronavirus.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported this extremely important day, which also aims to raise awareness of male mental health.”

The awards ceremony can be watched here.

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