IN one of the most highly anticipated events at this year’s annual Stroud Book Festival, Stuart Lawrence gave a passionate and inspirational talk, in conversation with Sabrina-Pace Humphries.

‘My passion is storytelling,’ he announces to the audience.

And as someone who has been a teacher, football coach, mentor, and now motivational speaker and author, he certainly had some fascinating stories to tell on the night.

Stuart spoke about a range of topics, ranging from his experience at school, to being Stephen Lawrence’s brother, supporting Arsenal, being a father and his career as a teacher turned motivational speaker and author.

No matter what he spoke about, he managed to keep his radiant smile throughout.

Although it doesn’t need reminding, Stuart Lawrence made me realise how important education is, how we can all look after one another and how we should all find our passions in life.

We all have different passions, and we all take longer to find them, but that’s okay.

About the event, a spokesperson for Stroud Against Racism, who helped to organise the event, had said: "The overwhelming response from readers of Stuart’s book, Silence is Not an Option has been one of surprise at how positive and uplifting it is.

"Aimed at children of secondary school age, but equally inspiring for adults, it is a gem of a book, guaranteed to empower all who read it.”

In this debut book, which he dedicates to his son Theo, Stuart talks about the tools which have made him live life positively.

And you could see the positivity that he exudes throughout the night.

This positive outlook alone made the talk worthwhile.

When he was signing books, he promised to give 5 star service to everyone.

But the main thing I will take from his talk is the following.  

The first chapter of his book is entitled You are your own superhero.

The blurb on the back reads All of us are unique.

Both of these things are what Stuart Lawrence made each and every member of the audience feel, a superhero and unique. 

Stuart Lawrence’s new book is called Silence is not an option: You can impact the world for change.