Supporting the Damilola Taylor Trust
Championing Hope and Opportunity for Young People:
Dr Leroy Logan MBE has been appointed as a Trustee of the Damilola Taylor Trust, the charity founded in 2001 to honour the life and legacy of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor and to provide hope and opportunity for disadvantaged and underrepresented young people.
Leroy’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Trust, as it enters a new chapter of growth and renewed purpose. Following the passing of its founder, Richard Taylor OBE, and the 25-year commemoration of Damilola’s death, the Trust is strengthening its governance and expanding its mission to support more young people across London and the UK.
With more than three decades of experience as a senior police officer, community advocate and youth champion, Leroy brings a unique blend of leadership, public service and deep commitment to social justice. His long-standing relationship with the Taylor family and extensive work empowering marginalised young people make him ideally placed to support the Trust in its next phase.
As a Trustee, Leroy will contribute to the Trust’s strategic direction — focused on transforming outcomes for young people facing inequality, violence, school exclusion or limited life chances. This includes expanding mentoring and education pathways, strengthening community–police engagement, and building new partnerships to help young people reach their full potential.
The Trust remains rooted in Damilola’s legacy of hope, resilience and opportunity. Through the collective leadership of its trustees, its mission remains clear: to ensure that every young person, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive, aspire and succeed.
Damilola Taylor Trust marks 25 years of turning pain into purpose
On 27 November 2025, 25 years to the day since ten-year-old Damilola Taylor was killed in Peckham, the Damilola Taylor Trust brought together family, partners and civic leaders at an anniversary event generously hosted by EY. Damilola's brother, trustee Tunde Taylor, said the past year had been hard for the family since the loss of their father, Richard Taylor OBE. He said the task now is to continue the work and build Damilola's legacy.
Speakers reflected on the Trust's achievements since Richard and Gloria Taylor founded it in 2001. These include medical degree places for inner-city students, the Spirit of London Awards, careers and mentoring programmes, and The Hope Collective. Dr Leroy Logan MBE, Chair of Trustees, and Shenaaz Chenia, CEO of YouthBuild UK, set out the Trust's bold new five-year mission. It will support 500 young people into work through a new Skills and Employment Hub in Peckham.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the Met stands firmly alongside the Trust, and pledged to honour Damilola's legacy by building "a future defined by safety, opportunity, and hope." The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, praised the Trust for turning unimaginable heartbreak into an enduring legacy. He said Gloria and Richard would be proud to see the impact their work continues to have for generations to come.
Damilola Heavenly Birthday Celebration
On 7th December, the Trust celebrated Damilola’s heavenly birthday with a unique evening of joyful reflection and fun featuring special guests including Lee John, Kojo the Comedian and Terrell the Artist at Soul Mama, a live music venue and restaurant at Angel Central in Islington, London, founded by YolanDa Brown and T Oyelola. It couldn’t have been better - with a video from John Boyega and with Mono Logan DJ-ing, it was a great night of celebration and reflection including the Damilola Taylor Trust board, family, friends and supporters.
Cold Case Forensics: In the Blood
ITV's documentary series Cold Case Forensics has devoted an episode to the case of Damilola Taylor. In Series 2, Episode 3, "In the Blood," leading forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop reveals how clues in the blood helped solve two terrible crimes, including the killing of ten-year-old Damilola. The episode shows how Dr Gallop and her team secured the vital evidence that led to convictions, bringing some closure to the Taylor family. itv
The episode has particular significance for the Trust: it was the last programme Richard Taylor OBE took part in before his death, and it includes some touching moments with him. Dr Leroy Logan MBE also appears, drawing on his involvement in the original investigation and representing the Damilola Taylor Trust as Chair of Trustees.
The episode is available to watch on ITVX: https://www.itv.com/watch/cold-case-forensics/10a1535/10a1535a0006.
