Youth Club Helps Young Musicians in Wolverhampton

Isaac Paris Spence, now 21, has always wanted to be a musician. He said the charity Genesis Sun, founded by his mother Diane Spence, changed his life. Isaac felt he lacked guidance to pursue his dream, and his mother wanted to open doors for him and other local young black people.

Diane Spence created Genesis Sun to provide a space for young people who felt isolated and lacked representation. The youth club, which meets fortnightly in Wolverhampton, connects young people with mentors who offer career and life advice. The charity has engaged more than 1,500 young people since 2020.

Isaac is now a student at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Birmingham. He said the connections he made through Genesis Sun helped him gain opportunities he never thought possible. The charity, which receives funding from BBC Children in Need, is currently working on a project called Black Country Roots and Realities, which aims to capture and preserve African, Caribbean and mixed-heritage stories across Wolverhampton and the wider Black Country.

Nai Whittaker Samuel, an 18-year-old singer and music producer, has been part of the charity for a few months. She said Genesis Sun has helped her become more confident in her music and provided a space where she can be herself and connect with other creative people.