Marcellus Baz

Activist, Athlete, Business leader, Business mentor, Connector, Entrepreneur, Life mentor, Parent, Single

Marcellus Baz BEM is the founder and CEO of Switch Up CIC and the Nottingham School of Boxing. The two organisations integrate sport, mentoring, education, and counselling, providing innovative interventions devised through his lived and learnt experience; as well as expertise derived from practice, to transform the lives of young people affected by crime and violence and transition them into employment, training, and further education. “Baz” was born in a deprived area of Nottingham and groomed into criminality and gang violence before dedicating his life to supporting communities affected by crime and violence. In 2016 his work was officially recognised, with Baz being awarded the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Unsung Hero Award and a British Empire Medal, more recently he was granted a doctorate in sport by Nottingham Trent university. Baz is also a sought-after Ted X and Motivational Speaker influencing social change, with organisations that support deprived communities on a national and international basis. His Switch Up model has been replicated in Denmark and supported organisations in Los Angeles and Brazil.

I am passionate about youth empowerment and giving young people support, direction and opportunities who are from communities affected by crime and violence.

The Switch Up model and how it contributes to the desistance of crime and violence.

Communities affected by crime in violence, Criminology, Effects of trauma, Entrepreneurship, Founding and organisation, Lived experience, Restorative approaches within criminal justice system, Social justice, Trauma Informed practice, Using the power of sport to make pro social change, Youth Empowerment, Youth justice, Youth violence

I had an opportunity to speak at a TEDx conference. If you get an opportunity please have a listen this talk is being used in various different countries to educate young people about the circles they keep around them. The talk is called "Your tribe is your Vibe" see link below. https://youtu.be/lXuqbsi1K9s

Hop scotch