A Debate featuring Isaura Mendes:

From the 15th until the 26th of July, Friction Arts are honoured to be hosting Isaura Mendes, the founder of the Bobby Mendes Peace Legacy, a non-profit organisation, based in Boston, USA. The Peace Legacy is named in honour of Isaura’s oldest son Bobby who was murdered in 1995, which sparked a spiral of violence in her community which is still taking young lives today. It is rededicated to her youngest son Matthew who was murdered in 2006.

Despite this second tragedy Isaura has continued to campaign to save the lives of young people in her community.

She works as a spokesperson, confidante and supporter of the bereaved, giving inspiring talks to men in prison, acting as a ‘Mama Christmas’ to young kids in her neighbourhood and takes every opportunity to try to give hope to her community through her work.

She is particularly interested in meeting anyone involved in anti-violence initiatives, gun or gang crime issues, or young people at risk. Please get in touch with us if you think you have a group or event which might be suitable for her to meet/address during her short visit.

There will be a debate at The Edge on Thursday 22nd July at 6pm. This will begin by an address by Isaura, talking about her work with the BMPL, followed by a debate examining the question ‘How can we create a future free of violence for our children?’ There will also be an opportunity to meet Isaura and continue the discussion.

Please RSVP if you would like to attend, as our debates are very popular, Emails should be sent to: info@frictionarts.com or telephone 0121 772 6160.

Find out more about Isaura and her work >