Prince William acknowledges ‘challenges and barriers’ facing young black people in UK: ‘You’re going places!’

The engagement coincided with Black History Month, drawing attention to the organisation’s work in developing the next generation of leaders from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

During the visit, William said: “What’s interesting is tenacity and resilience scores quite highly among you all, which just shows how many challenges and barriers you’ve all had to face to get where you are now.

“You can see by the way you talk and interact and engage, you guys, you’re going places and it’s really good. I’m really pleased to see you’re in the right environment here to nurture that.”

By meeting current participants and former beneficiaries of the scheme, the Prince highlighted the charity’s role in helping talented young people fulfil their potential.

The charity was set up in 2009 by Baroness Valerie Amos and her sister Colleen Amos, who believed that talent is spread equally across society but opportunities are not.

Its flagship programme spans five years, supporting students from the start of sixth form through to the completion of their university degrees.

Participants receive financial support alongside mentoring, leadership development, introductions to professional networks and guidance on career routes.

The bursary’s central purpose is to break down barriers to social mobility, giving young people of African and Caribbean heritage the self-assurance, contacts and skills required to succeed professionally.

It works to ensure structural obstacles do not hold back gifted individuals.

As part of Black History Month, the charity actively encourages its scholars to engage with a range of events and initiatives taking place across the period.

Among the activities promoted to students are Black Business Week and Tech Fest, both of which align with the bursary’s emphasis on professional development and broadening horizons.

These opportunities allow participants to explore entrepreneurship, innovation and industry connections beyond the formal programme, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to equipping young people with diverse experiences that complement their academic journeys.

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UrbanMBA, which hosted William’s visit, is a charity that works with marginalised young adults through education and mentoring programmes.

Based in Hoxton, it offers co-working space used by organisations such as The Amos Bursary.

The charity also delivers courses, workshops and training with a strong emphasis on technology, aimed at helping young black people build careers and start businesses.

The collaboration between the two organisations underscores a mutual dedication to removing systemic disadvantages that young people face in both educational settings and the workplace, ensuring greater access to professional opportunities for those who might otherwise be excluded.