by Winsome ‘Lyrical Healer’ Duncan of www.creditcrunchqueen.com
Introduction
Gwenton Sloley is the Director of Crying Sun’s Trust, his organisation works with vulnerable young people and adults. As a best-selling author of ‘From The Streets To Scotland Yard’, Gwenton became an award winner of ‘The George Owell’ prize panel in 2011. As a Motivational Speaker he empowers change on a global scale. I met Gwenton in the scorching summer of 2013, his impeccable business acumen and robust work ethic struck me immediately.
Gwenton is zealous about seeing change in the community and is committed to empower others to become entrepreneurs. Read on and discover his incredible story and how he made it into the world of business.
Background
Gwenton landed on the doorstep of England at the tender age of eight. Originating from the sun kissed island of Jamaica, adjusting to British life was a challenge. As a result Gwenton gravitated towards the wrong crowd; he ended up going down the wrong path and landed himself in prison. What is admirable about his journey is how he turned his life around over the past nine years. Gwenton went on to create a successful company called ‘Crying Sun’s Trust’, which offers jobs and opportunities to people in the community.
From The Streets To An Entrepreneur
Nine years ago Gwenton life was extremely different, after leaving prison he did not know what direction to take and the world had change around him. He met his now mentor Leroy Logan who was then the Super Intendant of Hackney, Leroy offered him his first job in Hackney Youth Offending Service in 2007. Gwenton says “All it takes is five minutes to mentor a young person and it does not cost anything. I am living proof that anyone can change if they want to with the right support”.
Journey To Best-selling Author
Gwenton started writing his debut book ‘From The Streets To Scotland Yard’ in 2008 while looking after young men in gangs. His work with the Metropolitan Police, has helped many gang members turn away from a life of crime. Whilst engaging with them he discovered a passion for words, this is where he first put pen to paper and the conception of his book was born.
Gwenton surprisingly discovered a catalogue of young people he had worked with had been sexually abused and they did not know how to express their trauma, hence them turning to crime. Also it was a personal issue to him as his mother went to her grave in 2001 in silence after not speaking out about her sexual abuse. This is why he is championing the awareness of male sexual abuse. Gwenton says “I wanted to help raise awareness on a taboo subject and show young people in particular, not only celebrities can write books”.
Conclusion
Gwenton is a prime example of not allowing his past circumstances to dictate his future. He says “No matter what, your beginning does not determine your end. Each one of us has the power achieve and change the direction of our lives. The reason why I set up ‘Crying Suns Trust’ when I came out of prison because they had ‘Mothers Against Guns’ and a charity set up by mothers who had lost their son’s to gun crime. I decided that I would set up my organisation to engage with the young people before they got killed. We deliver several ‘Reality Around Gangs’ programmes, which highlights the risk of getting involved in gangs and safe ways of exiting gangs. We use different ways of engaging with the young people such as football and other sports, we have partnered up with Global Football Team, which delivers mentoring services to young people. My advice to young entrepreneurs is to seek the right guidance from creditable people in their industry, whilst setting up and make sure you attend training relevant to your field”.
There you have it an extraordinary story from a remarkable man. I urge you all to look at your glass of life as half full. You can achieve your business dreams against the odds, if you have a mind-set of being proactive. No matter what, let no one deter you from your path in business.
You can purchase ‘From The Streets To Scotland Yard’ on Amazon and for more information about Gwenton’s company visit: www.cryingsunstrust.org.