MY STORY

Sayce Holmes-Lewis is an entrepreneur, sports coach, mentor and activist providing strategic counsel and cultural insight within the public & private sectors, whilst also delivering aspirational keynotes on the importance of community, racial equity, personal growth & resilience.

Sayce Holmes-Lewis is the visionary CEO and founder of Mentivity, an award-winning organisation that has positively impacted over 25,000 young people across London, Brighton, Barbados, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia since 2016. Through its holistic approach to mentoring and education, Mentivity has garnered widespread recognition, including the 'National Mentoring Programme of the Year' award in 2019 and the Mayor of Southwark’s Civic Award in 2020 for its outstanding contributions to the community.

Before founding Mentivity, Sayce was a qualified sports coach, teacher, youth worker, and mentor, in addition to playing professional football in the Republic of Ireland and Romania. Over his 26-year career, his experiences in both education and sport have driven his passion for supporting young people holistically, fostering personal growth, and advocating for youth development and community cohesion.

Sayce’s dedication to social justice is rooted in his personal experiences. At just 14, he was brutally assaulted by a Metropolitan Police officer in an incident dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service, despite clear evidence. This event, along with over 40 further stop-and-search encounters, sparked his lifelong commitment to fighting systemic racism. In 2020, during the first Covid-19 lockdown, Sayce was wrongfully stopped and searched again, leading to the viral release of his video amidst the global Black Lives Matter movement. Seizing this moment, Sayce partnered with the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) to develop a pioneering police training programme focused on cultural competency, institutional racism, the legacy of imperialism, and the importance of transparency and accountability for both the Metropolitan and City of London Police Forces.

Beyond his activism, Sayce has become a respected voice in the media, sharing insights on youth development, racial equity, policing, and sustained investment in underserved communities across platforms such as Good Morning Britain, Netflix, BBC News, Panorama, BT Sport, Sky News, and Channel 4 News. His expertise is highly sought after by both the public and private sectors, where he advises on creating inclusive and equitable communities through his work with Mentivity.

In 2022, Sayce’s commitment to his community came full circle with the launch of a 4G football pitch on the Aylesbury Estate, where he lived for 25 years. Funded by Reiss Nelson and opened alongside Arsenal legend Ian Wright, the pitch provides free access to local young people, promoting skill development and strengthening community ties through mentoring and sport.

Additionally, Sayce secured Mentivity House, also on the Aylesbury Estate, a vital space for young people and the broader community. In response to the decline in youth spaces across the UK, Mentivity House offers a new youth club, physical activity programmes, arts and cultural activities, and progressive training initiatives, creating a safe and inspiring environment. Sayce’s vision ensures that these opportunities remain accessible for young people to thrive.

In partnership with Spotify, Sayce co-produced "The Centre", a short film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Adeyemi Michael, which highlights the significance of youth spaces in shaping UK music culture, especially in genres like Garage, Grime, Afro Beats, and UK Rap. Spotify’s surveys showed that 77% of young people believe youth clubs offer safety, while 70% see them as crucial for nurturing creative talent. This partnership, along with the newly opened Mentivity House, reflects Sayce’s unwavering commitment to providing platforms and spaces where young people can progress and express themselves fully.

His tireless efforts to support underserved communities and advocate for social justice have earned him significant recognition. In 2022, Sayce was awarded the 'Most Inspirational Person of the Year' award at the MBCC Awards in Birmingham. In 2023, he was appointed to the newly formed London Policing Board by Mayor Sadiq Khan, tasked with holding the Metropolitan Police accountable for institutional racism, misogyny, and homophobia, as highlighted by Baroness Louise Casey’s report. That same year, Sayce received the University of East London’s prestigious 125th Anniversary Celebratory Award, recognising his remarkable contributions to London’s communities since earning his degree in Youth and Community Work with Sports Development in 2014.

In 2024, Sayce was named one of the "25 Top Black Entrepreneurs to Watch" by HSBC UK & the UK Black Business Show, cementing his status as a key figure driving positive change. His ability to secure over £1.25 million in funding for Mentivity in 2023 from the corporate sector, and build long term partnerships with organisations such as Goldman Sachs, Spotify, Avanade, PPL, Hogan Lovells, Hellman & Friedman LLC, and Sky, highlights his ability to leverage resources for community empowerment and long-lasting social impact.

As a powerful advocate for marginalised communities, Sayce continues to use his platform and extensive network across business, sport, education, and government to drive meaningful change throughout London and the UK. His work is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and an unrelenting commitment to justice and equity.