Former gang member turned youth mentor Michael Jibowu is calling on young people across the UK to reject street culture, violence and criminality, using his own experiences to show that a different future is possible.

Youth mentor and motivational speaker Michael Jibowu has taken it upon himself to wage war against the mindset he believes is leading too many young people in the UK towards a life of crime.

Standing behind a group of young Black schoolchildren in a powerful video, Jibowu delivered a passionate message calling for a change in attitudes towards street culture, drug dealing and violence.

He said:

"United Kingdom it's time to wage war - enough is enough! We are waging war against the mindset in the ends. And that mindset is when you grow up, you become a drug dealer, you become a product of your environment and you become a criminal. We are not conforming to the lies. We're not conforming to violence. We are rising up and we are breaking the narratives."

Jibowu's message centres on challenging the belief that young people growing up in disadvantaged communities are destined to follow a particular path, arguing that their circumstances should not determine their futures.

He is particularly concerned about the influence of street culture, where criminal activity, drug dealing and violence can become normalised, leaving young people vulnerable to exploitation, imprisonment and even death.

For Jibowu, the aim is to show the next generation that there is more to life than what they see happening around them.

From gang violence to changing young lives

Jibowu's message carries additional weight because of his own experiences with crime.

The 24-year-old has previously spoken openly about his involvement in gang violence and the consequences of the decisions he made as a teenager.

In 2022, he was jailed after stabbing another teenager three times in the neck. His victim survived.

Speaking to Sky News in March 2026, Jibowu reflected on his past and the dangers of carrying a knife, delivering a stark warning to young people who believe weapons offer protection.

He told the broadcaster:

"Every single person I know that's carried a knife, they've either ended up dead or in a prison cell. Take it from me, I've gone to prison for stabbing someone.

"You don't have to listen to me, but the choice is yours. If you want to carry a knife, be ready for the consequences. I'm not saying it to scare you, I'm saying [the] reality."

Rather than attempting to hide his past, Jibowu has made it central to his work, using his experiences as a warning about how quickly decisions made on the streets can change lives.

His transformation has seen him move into youth mentoring and public speaking, visiting schools and youth groups to discuss knife crime, gang involvement and the importance of making positive decisions.

Turning personal experience into a mission

Jibowu has also attracted attention from national organisations working to tackle knife crime.

In April 2026, the Home Office featured his story as part of its work supporting the government's Plan to Halve Knife Crime.

The department described how Jibowu had previously been involved in deadly gang conflicts in Kent before his imprisonment and subsequent change in direction.

He is now using his experiences to support young people through mentoring, public speaking and educational initiatives.

His work has also been recognised by organisations involved in youth development and crime prevention.

Through his involvement with youth initiatives, including work connected to the Amber Foundation and the Ali Foundation, he has sought to reach young people who may be facing similar pressures to those he experienced.

He has also delivered knife-crime awareness workshops through the Blunt Truth initiative in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police.

Testimonials published by the Beyond the Blade organisation have praised his ability to connect with young people and communicate the consequences of violence in a way that is informed by lived experience.