ISITC TALKTIME: The Digital Future of Youth Empowerment
TalkTime Podcast: The Digital Future of Youth Empowerment
Part 2 of the Podcast Empowering Young People to Take a Second Chance
As part of ISITC Europe’s mission to educate and help young people through it’s student society Gary Wright talks to Amani Simpson founder of AVIARD about his work empowering young people to have a second chance. This powerful second instalment of Gary Wright’s conversation with youth leader and social entrepreneur Amani Simpson dives deeper into the digital future of youth empowerment — and why now is the moment to rethink how we support the next generation.
Amani explains a challenge he sees repeatedly when working with young people: after an inspiring workshop or mentoring session, they return to their daily lives without the digital tools to turn motivation into action. As he puts it, “we kind of just send them back into their world… with no digital infrastructure to help them move forward.”
To bridge that gap, Amani and his team have spent five years co‑designing a safe, purpose‑built digital platform that helps young people break down goals, discover uplifting stories, and access pathways into work and opportunity. The platform is now entering a pilot phase with a London university, supporting young people connected to the justice system — those furthest from employment but full of potential.
The conversation also explores the role of AI as an equaliser. Amani shares stories of young people who have used AI to upskill, automate tasks, and even launch businesses. One former participant, he notes, went from disengaged student to running his own AI consultancy at just 19. “You’ve seen an opportunity,” Amani says — a reminder that AI can expand human capability when used responsibly.
Amani also highlights the transformative partnership behind the Amani Project, supported by Goldman Sachs and Hogan Lovells. Their volunteers open doors, mentor young people, and create moments that shift lives — from stepping onto a trading floor for the first time to gaining the confidence to speak publicly.
The episode closes with a simple but profound message: pay it forward. Amani reminds us that every person can be the one who offers a kind word, opens a door, or changes a life. As he recites Spike Milligan’s poem “Smiling is Infectious,” the message is clear — small acts can ripple across the world.
Podcast Part 2
Viewing time:18 mins
About Amani Simpson
After struggling to find my feet as I grew up, and nearly losing my life after being stabbed seven times in a knife attack in 2011, I dedicated my life to steering young people away from darkness.
Most of my projects are run through my social enterprise, AVIARD Inspires CIC but I also work with a number of other impactful initiatives such as Apprentice Nation and The Commission On Young Lives. I’m also a secondary school governor, trustee of a leading creative college and board member of a leading christian media production company.
With my creative hat on, I’m a director, producer and writer, starting my film career in 2018 as the producer and protagonist of the award-winning ‘AMANI’ Short Film starring Hollywood Actor, Joivan Wade (DC Comic’s Doom Patrol, The First Purge and Shiro’s Story). It received 1 Million views in four days and has since been viewed nearly 4 million times on Youtube. My rule of thumb is that all the stories I tell must be honest, thought-provoking and uplifting.
My mission is to be a servant leader who always finds ways to add value to others through my lived experience, loving nature and influential network. I plan to leave this earth (as an old man) having used my time well, impacting the lives, mindsets and trajectory of millions of people.
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