On February 20, 2026, the streets of Acton in west London were filled with a bittersweet energy as Brenda Edwards, best known for her role on Loose Women, officially opened the Self Belief Creative Community Hub. This wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It marked the fourth anniversary of the passing of her son, Jamal Edwards—a music entrepreneur, DJ, and founder of the influential platform SBTV, whose impact on British music continues to ripple through the industry.
The new hub, launched through the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, is more than bricks and mortar. It’s the physical embodiment of Jamal’s vision: a place where young people are not just welcomed, but placed at the heart of everything. Brenda, joined by her daughter Tanisha Artman, has transformed her grief into action, channeling the spirit and wishes of her son into a project designed to uplift the next generation.
“The fact that I know that I’m trying to carry on his legacy to help young people is an amazing feeling,” Brenda told the Press Association. “I’m literally transforming what he was doing and what he wanted me to address, which was helping young people and bringing everybody together as a community.”
Jamal Edwards’ story is one of remarkable achievement and generosity. In 2006, at just 15, he founded SBTV, a YouTube channel that would help catapult artists like Ed Sheeran, Dave, and Jessie J into stardom. His contributions to the UK’s music scene earned him an MBE in 2014, and he served as an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, reflecting his commitment to helping others find their own paths.
But Jamal’s influence didn’t stop at industry accolades. According to The Independent, he was known for his selfless nature, always thinking of others and taking joy in supporting those around him. “I think he got such a great joy out of that, and it’s taught me a lot as well,” Brenda reflected.
The Self Belief Creative Community Hub stands on the very Acton housing estate where Jamal grew up—a full-circle moment that Brenda describes as both “major” and “bittersweet.” “It was really weird. It’s a major feeling. Bittersweet, because I know he would have wanted to see this in fruition, but I get the strength from the fact that I know that he’s there and he’s watching,” she shared, as reported by PA Wire.
Inside, the hub offers more than just a safe space. It boasts music and podcast studios, co-working areas, and a subsidised kitchen serving daily meals. The programming is robust, focusing on creativity, wellbeing, life skills, and employability—all designed to give young people practical tools and the confidence to shape their futures. As Filmogaz.com described, the hub is “dedicated to empowering young people, providing them with essential resources and skills for their futures.”
At the heart of the initiative is a letter of wishes Jamal left for his mother, guiding her every step. “Everything that I’m doing is based on his letter of wishes that he left for me with his will,” Brenda explained to The Mirror. “In the letter, he said that he wanted young people to be at the forefront of everything that I do. His whole mantra was self belief. That legacy will always remain, and people will always be speaking about him and know of him as somebody that wanted to bring communities together.”
The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, co-founded by Brenda and Tanisha soon after Jamal’s death, has become a “driving force” in Brenda’s journey through grief. “There’s not a day that I obviously don’t speak to him in my mind. I really feel his presence and that really helps me,” she admitted, echoing the sentiments she’s shared across interviews. For Brenda, the trust is not just a way to honor her son—it’s central to her own healing and sense of purpose.
The launch of the hub was, as Brenda described, “totally full circle.” The location, the programs, and the ethos all reflect Jamal’s vision, conceived in 2021, just a year before his untimely death at 31. “He came up with the idea the year before he became forever 31,” Brenda recalled, a poignant nod to how Jamal’s ambitions continue to shape the world he left behind.
Jamal’s legacy as an innovator and mentor is woven into the fabric of the hub. His work at SBTV didn’t just launch careers—it inspired a generation to believe in themselves and each other. The hub’s focus on self-belief, creativity, and community is a direct extension of his ethos. As BBC and Filmogaz.com reported, Brenda sees the hub as a living tribute: “His legacy will always be remembered,” she said, “and people will always be speaking about him and know of him as somebody that wanted to bring communities together.”
The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive. The Acton estate, once simply a backdrop to Jamal’s childhood, now serves as a launchpad for young talent and ambition. The subsidised kitchen, music studios, and co-working spaces are already drawing in young people eager to explore their creative potential and build their futures.
Brenda’s journey, while marked by loss, has been defined by resilience and hope. “It’s really quite scary to think that it’s four years this Friday,” she said. But through the trust and the new hub, she’s found a way to keep Jamal’s spirit alive—not just in memory, but in action. “It’s really hard every day. But I know he is watching saying: ‘Come on, mummy, come on.’”
For those wishing to get involved or support the Self Belief Creative Community Hub, more information can be found on the charity’s website. As the doors open and young people step inside, they’re met not just with resources, but with the enduring message of self-belief that Jamal championed—a message that, thanks to his family, will continue to echo through Acton and beyond for years to come.