Jul 16, 2019
In today’s episode we chat with
one of the UK’s most inspiring people, former gang leader and
u-turned public speaker, poet, musician and rehabilitation leader -
Karl Lokko. Whether it’s visiting Necker Island with Richard
Branson or attending the Royal wedding, Karl’s remarkable journey
is a far cry from his Brixton Badlands past.
Karl is one of the UK’s most
connected under 30 year olds, he now holds a platform for true
change, helping thousands of youth to escape the gang culture on
the very dangerous streets of South London. As a former gang leader
himself, life hasn’t always been so easy. Infact his u-turn is
nothing less than truly breathtaking. And his journey to get to
where he is now, even more jaw dropping!
From
the age 12, Karl found himself on the wrong side of the tracks when
his bicycle was stolen a few too many times. In his defense he
formed his own gang of misfits, something Brixton wasn’t short of.
A product of the Windrush generation decades before him, he was
used to seeing displacement all around him. Which gave everyone and
anyone a reason to fight.
“There’s a reason for rage, they so won’t that scare you straight? Well, If what you’re doing is because you are already scared, that is going to fuel your rage” - Karl [17:35]
Unfortunately the violence didn’t stay on a
scrappy playground level for long. By the age of 14 he had already
witnessed his friends being shot, been shot at himself and carried
his own knife wounds as battle scars. Scars that he held as a
trophy to go with the ‘strike them before they strike you’ mindset
that permeated both his gang and the culture that followed - with
or against him.
“There’s a lack of remorse, everyone can feel our pain ‘cause I’m feeling it, everyone else becomes fair game” - Karl [16:00]
But his story isn’t only one of a bleak
distraught childhood, in today’s episode you’ll hear the remarkable
story of how Karl turned his back on the violence and literally
earned himself a seat at the table with some of the world’s most
powerful and influential people. Karl now heads up a charitable
organisation that transforms gang members into respectable
citizens, helping them see life outside of gangs. Or as Alex calls
it, his “love gang” - “goosebumps” as Mimi puts it.
“I was inspired by bible stories of sheppard boys throwing rocks at political, economical and cultural giants called Goliath. Those emails were my stones and i had to throw them out there” - Karl [47.30]
We are truly honoured to talk with Karl. His
giant heart, kind nature and switched on intelligence shines light
on what you can do if you really put your mind to making a positive
change, both in your life and others.
We talk
about:
- The disaffected difference between class and race that still exists in society today
- How gangs and street violence are a product of circumstance
- Anxieties can lead to displacement
- Your enemy is also a person, how to look into their eyes and see from another perspective
- The only real enemy is yourself and your choice in how you react to situations
- Why the only answer to the problem we face is love
- How you can form your own love gang
- Why we should be turning societies liabilities into assets and help displaced people find a purpose
- Going behind enemy lines with an open heart, walking the path to a ceasefire
- Finding a support system in the most influential people in the world
- How speaking with confidence puts you at the same table as powerful people
Hope you enjoyed this week’s episode with Karl, you can find out more about him here:
Butterfly Effect - Youtube video by Karl Lokko