Our History

CEN (Communities Empowerment Network) was founded in 1999 by four individuals: the late Gerry German, Professor Gus John, John O’Malley, and Obajimi Adefiranye. Gerry and Gus had previously collaborated on the issue of school exclusions and racism. Gerry, having worked with the Commission for Racial Equality, started the Working Group Against Racism in Children’s Resources upon retirement. Gus was a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde who advised Glasgow City Council on tackling racism.

Both men were concerned about the high exclusion rates of black and mixed heritage children, particularly black boys, from schools. They noted that the Department for Education’s statistics often associated black students with indiscipline and low achievement, fostering negative attitudes among teachers.

The late John O’Malley, a community activist, who had help parents with school exclusion appeals and special education needs cases. John knew Professor Gus having previously worked alongside him to establish the Notting Hill Law Centre. The final founding member was Obajimi Adefiranye who was a teacher and long-time councillor in Lewisham.

Learn more about how CEN was established in our brochure below.