Ray Lewis (youth worker)

Ray Lewis (born 1963), is a Guyana-born youth worker in the United Kingdom and a former Deputy Mayor of London.

Career

Lewis was educated in a school in Walthamstow. [http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=16754 The Mayor of London appoints Ray Lewis as Deputy Mayor for Young People] , london.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 May 2008.] He began his career as an administrative officer in the civil service, then studied Theology & Pastoral Studies at Middlesex University before being ordained in 1990. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3907565.ece?token=null&offset=12 Ray Lewis: Pied Piper to the wild Boys] "The Times", 10 May 2008. Retrieved on 27 May 2008.] He later worked at HM Prison Woodhill in Milton Keynes.

In 2002 Lewis became Executive Director of Eastside Young Leaders Academy, based in Newham, East London, after being inspired by a scheme in the USA (YLA). He visited this academy with 3 of his loyal boys, 2 of whom are still currently part of the organization (Razak Farley & Anthony Wright) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/dec/05/guardiansocietysupplement.charityawards1 Ray of hope] , "The Guardian", 5 December 2007. Retrieved on 6 May 2008.] The aim of the charity is to improve the lifes of young black males to prevent them turning to crime. It offers academic coaching and mentoring from successful black businessmen. Lewis' personal aim is: "We see no shortage of young black males in the courtrooms, so my vision is to seek to prepare as many as possible for the boardrooms." The charity received national recognition from "The Guardian" newspaper in December 2007.

Deputy Mayor

Lewis was appointed as Deputy Mayor of London for Young People in May 2008 by new Mayor Boris Johnson.

Misconduct allegations

On 3 July, 2008 Mayor of London Boris Johnson, announced an independent inquiry into multiple allegations including financial misconduct, to be headed by Martin Narey, the former chief of the Prison and Probation Service. The allegations included allegations that Lewis was entrusted with £25,000 from a woman in the congregation in the Parish of St Matthew, West Ham in the Diocese of Chelmsford. Lewis also claimed in his official biography to be a Justice of the Peace, which was later denied by the Ministry of Justice. The financial allegations are denied by Lewis as 'complete rubbish' and as an attempt to 'smear' his reputation.

It also emerged that he had been barred from working in the Church of England after allegations of financial misconduct. Lewis was placed on the Lambeth and Bishopthorpe Register - the so-called "Lambeth List" - which prohibits people from public ministry and preaching, [ [http://trushare.com/09FEB96/FE96LEGA.htm Legal And Parochial ] ] from 1999 to 2005. [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7488006.stm|title=Mayor's aide in cash claim probe|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-07-04]

On 4 July 2008 Lewis resigned as a result of these allegations of misconduct. [citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7490687.stm|title=Deputy mayor resigns from office|publisher=BBC News|date=2008-07-04|accessdate=2008-07-04]

Personal life

Lewis is married to Pamela and they have three daughters.

References

External links

* [http://www.eyla.org.uk/index.htm Eastside Young Leaders' Academy]