In October 2021 I won the DJ category in the Keep it 100 Awards. I have loved DJing from a young age but never found learning very easy and used to have extra help at school but I have always been good at music. I started DJing when I was about 13 and have been trying to grow my career but it’s really difficult to get into DJing.
When my Mum saw the awards I was really excited and I really wanted to win because I could see it would really help me. I made a film about myself and tried to get everyone I could to vote for me. I was so happy to win.I have had so many new opportunities because I won the award. I won a slot on Chelmsford Community Radio on a Monday morning and this has given me lots of confidence and I have learned lots about being on the radio.I have also been mentored by Grooverider and with his help and the support of Keep It 100 Essex I got a guest slot on Radio 1 Xtra.
Keep It 100 Essex have also helped me with my college course. I am making a film for my college project about the Knife Angel and Keepit100 arranged for me to interview Alfie Bradley, the artist who made it.’m really lucky to have won this award and I have so much to put on my CV now.
Ben Collinson
My first contact with keep it 100 brought me relief. Finally there was a service that understood my pain and my sons situation, I was never made to feel ashamed or embarrassed, if anything I was empowered to positively help raise awareness and create change. Since working with KI100 I have found great comfort. Thanks to the organisation we have now been housed in a beautiful new home and received support in securing items from our home such as brand new appliances and even removals. I am now studying a degree thanks to feeling safe and secure in large part due to KI100. Thank you.
ANONYMOUS
The Director was working with our College Company students from Orb regarding a project that pre our current global crisis was to be known as “Keep It 100” which explored a range of creative avenues for young people to explore their talents and creative output to promote positivity amongst the younger community and bring people together. Luisa was incredibly engaging with our students and kept Staff and Students wanting to hear more about this incredible opportunity the more it was presented to us. The level of Luisa's engagement was empowering and inspirational to all in attendance, we were delighted to see so much engagement and drive in the students working on this project and we cannot wait to have the opportunity to explore this further’.
ASHLEY BUTCHER - USP COLLEGE
Luisa Di Marco is one of the most incredibly inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Luisa is a selfless person who I can honestly say has helped me in so many ways even unknowingly. The work she carries out in empowering others is to be admired and I hope she gets all the accolades she deserves. Helping others is a beautiful thing and Luisa does this naturally.
DARREN BARDEN - KNIFE CRIME SURVIVOR and mens mental health campaigner
Keep it 100 have given me so many opportunities. Like working on my flag and doing my art. My flag was about knife crime. Keep It 100 has given me opportunity and so much more. I do art to help my mental health and it helps me just focus and ease my mind. With Luisa’s support I have strived for so much more in my life.
CLODAGH
I got myself in trouble, and didn’t know what to do. I approached Keep It 100 after someone I trust introduced me. After talking about my situation, the treatment I received was non judgemental. They helped me secure London lawyer which really helped me, I never thought people like that were accessible to people like me, the lawyer has only ever shown me respect and has helped me understand my rights and the error of of ways. This has helped me feel more confident. Keep It 100 helped me understand that there is a world of legal opportunity out there.