BEAUTIFUL MOMENT: As London Fashion Stars Turn Out To Support Lewis Hamilton’s Charity Foundation
Last night, the worlds of fashion, acting, music, and sports united for a charitable cause at Lewis Hamilton’s *Reimagining The Future* gala dinner, which raised funds for his Mission 44 foundation. The event saw fashion icons such as designers Kim Jones, Bianca Saunders, and Tolu Coker, alongside celebrities like Lily Allen, Tems, Idris and Sabrina Elba, and various British athletes.
Hosted by F1 presenter Ariana Bravo, attendees enjoyed a plant-based dinner, complete with veggie and vegan dishes and desserts. The entertainment lineup featured performances from British soul and R&B singer Pip Millett, the vocal group Flames Collective, and a youth performance by rapper Origin from the East London Arts and Music School. Guests also participated in an auction, bidding on exclusive items like a VIP experience at the 2025 Grand Prix and a full-size replica helmet signed by Hamilton.
Ahead of the event, Hamilton shared with *British Vogue*, “I think it’s going to be a really powerful evening. It’s one of the rare occasions we get to bring everyone together and celebrate what we’ve accomplished over the past three years. This is also our first-ever fundraising event, and I’m incredibly excited about the positive impact it will have.” He also highlighted that his Mission 44 foundation has already invested £5.5 million in supporting young people worldwide.
Mission 44 was created in response to *The Hamilton Commission*, a research report funded by Lewis Hamilton following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. The report aimed to investigate the lack of Black representation in UK motorsport, which ultimately motivated Hamilton to establish Mission 44. “The Hamilton Commission identified barriers throughout the education and employment pathways,” Hamilton explains. “It was crucial to me not only to highlight these issues but to take action.” He continues, “Mission 44 is addressing these barriers through grants and partnerships that help empower young people to succeed. But it’s not just about transforming motorsport—our mission is to create a fairer and more inclusive future for young people worldwide, giving them the opportunity to thrive.”
Mission 44 focuses on three main goals: empowering young people, creating employment opportunities, and building a more inclusive education system. To achieve these aims, the charity has partnered with The Black Curriculum, a British community interest group. “We want to help every young person, regardless of their background or where they start in life, but there are areas that need more attention,” Hamilton explains. Mission 44 has already reached 300,000 young people across the UK, USA, and Brazil. “Right now, we’re focusing on projects that support young people facing barriers in education and employment, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by exclusions, as well as those from under-represented groups in STEM and motorsport.”
One of the standout achievements of Mission 44 has been the creation of the Motorsports Scholarship for Black Students. “We wanted to create a pathway into my sport for people from more diverse backgrounds,” says Hamilton. “Every one of the scholars in the first cohort has worked incredibly hard, and I’m proud to say that they’ve all now secured jobs in Formula 1.” Reflecting on their progress, he adds, “I met them at Silverstone this year, and they were so excited about their futures and the opportunity to work in Formula 1. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been part of their journey.”
Hamilton is deeply committed to ensuring that young people have a voice in the work of Mission 44. So much so, that he has helped establish youth positions within the foundation. “One of my favourite things about Mission 44 is how involved young people are in what we do,” he explains. “We shouldn’t be making decisions about their future without including them in the conversation. They have so much insight and intelligence, and it’s important to listen to their voices.” He continues, “That’s why our youth advisory board members are at the heart of Mission 44. Whenever I spend time with them, I leave the conversation feeling optimistic about the future.”
Hamilton’s passion for empowering young people stems from his own experiences growing up. He reflects on how, as a youth, he often struggled to feel heard. “I was one of the only kids of colour at my school and the only Black kid at the karting tracks, so I often felt like I had to keep my head down and stay quiet, even when things didn’t feel fair,” he says. “I was lucky to have people around me who could advocate for me, but my goal now is to ensure that other young people, no matter their background or support system, have the chance to speak up and shape their own lives. That’s the future we’re working towards at Mission 44.”
Looking ahead, Mission 44 plans to expand its reach even further in 2025, with full operations launching in Brazil, Italy, and the US to help thousands more young people.
