Parent Governor Board
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
To ensure that local parents, youth, and the broader community have a say in decisions and our strategies, we have selected dedicated community members who are committed to safeguarding our vulnerable children.
Rose Boucaud
Rose, a proud British born woman of Jamaican heritage and a North London resident, is a dedicated mother, grandmother, and passionate advocate for Black children's well-being. Grounded in her Christian faith Rose believes that every child has a unique potential, or "genius," that should be nurtured. By empowering children to understand and develop their talents, she believes they can overcome challenges, grow academically, and build resilience.
Her commitment to social change drives her to advocate for meaningful solutions, particularly through organisations like Awaken Genius.
Rose views this initiative as essential in tackling issues of school exclusion, mental health struggles, and lack of direction among marginalised youth. Through Awaken Genius, she envisions a future where children from disadvantaged backgrounds can discover their purpose, enhance their education, and thrive in a supportive, nurturing environment. Rose's mission is deeply personal, motivated by her own experiences and a desire to ensure that vulnerable children are not overlooked, but given the opportunities they need to succeed and become empowered, purpose-driven individuals.
Earle Mitchell
Earle Mitchell’s career began at 17, working for an electrical company, before joining Dixon's at 19. Starting as a salesperson, he quickly advanced to deputy manager by 21 and store manager by 22. Over the years, Earle managed stores across London, including the flagship Oxford Street location. His passion for developing people led him to mentor many young recruits, helping them progress into management and director roles. As a regional manager, Earle also led training programmes to equip teams with key skills for success.
Since retiring, Earle has continued his commitment to supporting others. He mentors young people, offering guidance on life choices and career paths. Additionally, he is training to become a counsellor and leads his church's children’s ministry, nurturing young people’s growth in faith and confidence.
Earle’s dedication to empowering the next generation led him to join Awaken Genius Alternative Education as a Parent Governor. He is passionate about supporting the school’s mission to provide innovative, holistic education, believing that success is about more than academics but also preparing young people for life.
Samantha-Jane
Samantha-Jane, a mother of 5, and a local resident, is passionate about education, particularly when it comes to her youngest child, who finds primary school uninspiring and overly instructive. In search of a better option, she enrolled him in the Awaken Genius summer programme and has seen remarkable results. The vitality and excitement he brought home, along with his newfound love for learning, left her inspired and convinced of the programme’s value.
Samantha-Jane has personally experienced Awaken Genius’s holistic approach to wellness in education and is a firm believer in its transformative impact. Her mother also benefits from Awaken Genius’s online wellbeing circles, further demonstrating the organisation’s positive influence on her family.
Driven by her own experiences, Samantha-Jane now devotes her time to supporting Awaken Genius, believing strongly in its ability to reduce school exclusions and provide a nurturing environment for children. She is committed to helping others discover the programme's life-changing benefits, knowing that it not only enhances children's education but also supports their overall well-being. Through Awaken Genius, Samantha-Jane has seen firsthand how a holistic approach can empower children to thrive.
Mabel Obeng
Mabel has lived in Haringey her entire life and is deeply committed to supporting her community, particularly in the areas of youth development and education. A dedicated mother to a 10-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter, Mabel brings a wealth of both personal and professional experience to her work. As a Youth Mental Health Practitioner and a professional within the STEM field, she has a deep understanding of the challenges young people face today, especially in terms of mental health, education, and career pathways.
Mabel is passionate about ensuring that young people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. She firmly believes that every young person deserves the chance to succeed and develop into a well-rounded, educated, and creative individual. Her enthusiasm for young people's welfare, protection, and education fuels her dedication to making a positive impact on their lives.
Mabel is a strong advocate for the potential of Awaken Genius as a solution to help young people achieve their goals. Through its focus on education, creativity, and personal development, she believes the program can provide invaluable support. It is with great pride that Mabel serves on the Governing Board, working to ensure that the next generation of young people is empowered to reach their full potential.
Chuks Agu
Chuks is a dedicated father of three daughters, actively involved in attending both primary and secondary school parent evenings. Encouraged to become a school governor at his children’s schools, he believes that joining the Awaken Genius parent governor team would provide a valuable opportunity to deepen his understanding of the education system and see how his views and actions can positively influence change.
As a registered social worker with experience in the NHS, local authority, and Rethink Mental Illness, Chuks has worked in the mental health and learning disabilities departments. His lived experience with mental health challenges, combined with his role as a Haringey resident, has fostered a deep passion and empathy for supporting others within the community.
Chuks actively supports charities such as Father 2 Father, Black Thrive in Haringey, and Our Time, which focus on parenthood, parental mental health, and mental health. His involvement in these organisations enriches both his life and his children’s, as they connect with others in their community.
He sees Awaken Genius as a dynamic, evolving community organisation doing vital work with young people and professionals.
Chuks hopes to contribute meaningfully to this mission, supporting the causes he believes in.
Youth Advisory Board
Neema (Grace) Deasy
Grace, a student at Liverpool University and a youth ambassador for Awaken Genius, also serves on the youth board of the organisation.
She admires the impactful work of Awaken Genius, which supports children who have endured psychological trauma by helping them transform their 'undesirable traits' into gifts and a sense of purpose, fostering inner confidence and resilience.
Awaken Genius is not just an organisation; it represents a culture, a mentality, and a unity of individuals united by a common purpose—to unlock and unleash the potential that young people already possess.
Through this process, they are empowered to manifest their potential, using the skills they develop to navigate and overcome any challenges they may face in life.
Faith Ramautar
Faith Melody Ramautar, known as @faiththedesigner, is a talented hair sculpture artist from South London with Jamaican and Indian heritage. A graduate of BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery from the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London (UAL), Faith’s dual heritage significantly influences her work, shaping her artistic expression and identity.
Growing up in a culturally rich household, she embraced the vibrant traditions, artistry, and storytelling from both her Jamaican and Indian roots. Her work is a fusion of Caribbean and Indian influences, blending bold textures, symbolic patterns, and spiritual elements to create unique hair sculptures that tell stories of heritage and self-expression.
Faith’s love for gospel music deepens this connection, intertwining faith, culture, and artistry. Her designs reflect this fusion, where the rhythmic energy of the Caribbean meets the intricate craftsmanship of Indian artistry. Her distinctive approach has led her to work on editorial shoots, the Brit Awards, London Fashion Week, and collaborate with independent artists and designers. She has also worked across stage, screen, television, and theatre, bringing her creative vision to various artistic platforms.
Outside her creative work, Faith is active in her church community and sings in the worship team, using her voice to uplift and inspire others. She is excited to join the Awaken Genius Youth Advisory Board, with the hope of inspiring the next generation to embrace their cultural roots while exploring new creative possibilities.
Josephine Mintah
Josephine is eager to join the Awaken Genius Youth Advisory Board due to her deep passion for the connection between education, well-being, and societal development. As a Global Health Master's student, Josephine has witnessed firsthand how education influences health outcomes and life expectancy. She understands that access to quality education goes beyond academic achievement—it directly impacts overall well-being, social mobility, and the functioning of society.
Awaken Genius stands out to Josephine for its innovative approach, particularly its use of somatic therapy to address mental health challenges and prevent school exclusions. This mission resonates deeply with her, as she believes that traditional education often fails to account for the diverse learning needs of students. By prioritising holistic development and the mind-body connection, Awaken Genius is fostering meaningful change for young people who might otherwise be overlooked.
Josephine also admires founder Michael Clarke’s commitment to recognising the potential in every child, especially those who are frequently labelled or excluded. Clarke’s belief that ‘undesirable’ behaviours can conceal hidden strengths aligns with Josephine’s perspective on personal growth and empowerment.
By joining the Youth Advisory Board, Josephine hopes to share her insights on the critical role education plays in health and societal development while advocating for more inclusive, supportive learning environments for all young people.
Jessica Mintah
Jessica is eager to join the Awaken the Genius Youth Advisory Board because she deeply resonates with its mission to reimagine learning beyond traditional, linear education. As a master's student in Political Communications, Jessica has firsthand experience navigating academic spaces while being dyslexic.
This has given her a profound understanding of the challenges many young people face when information is not presented in ways that suit diverse learning styles.
Since the age of 17, mentorship has played a transformative role in Jessica's life, shaping her confidence, critical thinking, and ability to succeed outside conventional structures. In her current roles—both as a Media and Communications Manager at The Peace Alliance and as a facilitator for the Level Up programme—she actively supports young people in discovering their potential, fostering a future-focused mindset, and equipping them with essential life skills beyond the classroom.
Jessica's lived experience, combined with her passion for inclusive education and youth development, makes her well-suited to contribute valuable insights to the board. She is committed to helping Awaken the Genius create innovative strategies that empower young people to thrive in ways that truly reflect their strengths, creativity, and individuality.
Nathan John-Baptiste
Growing up as a child, Nathan was very much labelled as the troublesome one, yet he knew deep down that was never the true case. Now that he is older, he realises that he was a product of his environment as there were certain troublesome circumstances he had to face alone.
As Nathan grew older, he started to believe in himself a lot more. The ambition to achieve his idea of success at that time grew even stronger, as Nathan realised if he didn’t believe in himself, then who else would?
That self-belief then led me to creating and growing businesses whilst still in school. A certain business of mine attracted attention from the media and from that happening many doors opened for me.
Nathan believes that young people need nurturing, they need guidance and they need a platform that makes them realise they are in their 'own lane'. Individuality is what makes each person unique and standardised learning doesn’t highlight that, it doesn’t tailor young people’s individuality. He now knows that his unique abilities are a gift from God. However, standardised learning made Nathan rebel against the school system because he knew he didn’t have a standard mind. Nathan awakened his genius from an early age and made his own plan as to what he was going to do with his life.
Nathan's concern is those students who are permanently excluded from school and don’t know or don’t think that they have greatness within them? That’s why I believe he is a part of Awaken Genius.
