Stephen Lawrence Day, marked every year on 22 April, is about the part we all play in creating a society in which everyone can flourish. It is a chance to show how small changes and simple things that we can all do can make a huge difference.
Stephen was a Black British teenager living with his parents and siblings in south-east London. He was murdered in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack on 22 April 1993; Stephen’s case gained a high profile in the UK due to its handling. Following years of campaigning by Stephen’s family, a public inquiry was announced and ultimately resulted in the 1999 Macpherson Report.
Beginning in 2019, Stephen Lawrence Day is observed annually on the anniversary of his death to keep the focus on racial inequality and celebrate efforts to remove it. The Day also celebrates everything that Stephen was and could have become; he dreamed of becoming an architect, and wanted to have a positive impact on his community.
Get involved
In his memory, the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation launched the #ChallengeAccepted campaign to encourage doing something simple to help others and pass it on. There are three types of challenges:
- Do good; a simple act of kindness to help others in your community
- Get creative: express what living your best life looks like for you through your chosen artform
- Share the learning: find out about Stephen’s story and share it.