Award winning CEO, entrepreneur and innovator, Marcellus Baz is a true community hero. From a disrupted youth destined for gang involvement, Marcellus has committed his adulthood to breaking the cycle of crime, supporting mental health and disadvantaged youths through sport, specifically boxing. An inspiration to everyone he meets, Marcellus is revered nationally for his services, and as a motivational speaker shares his compelling story, and the foundations on which he has built his business, a unique opportunity for audiences to gain an insight into transportative enterprises.
Founding two projects, Switch Up and Nottingham School of Boxing, the ambition was clear for Marcellus; to provide long lasting, effective change in the lives of youths through boxing. Aiming to build confidence, discipline and respect in order to provide new pathways, for children from particularly challenging upbringings, Marcellus offers free places through affiliated charities to students living in the areas suffering the biggest poverty in Nottingham. Switch Up focuses on empowering young people by offering the additional support of mentoring, and an outreach programme. Opportunity is at the heart of Marcellus’s motivation, and as such he employs former convicts, and welcomes people stuck in the circle of gang culture.
Born and raised in the Meadows area of Nottingham, Marcellus grew up to become a product of his surroundings. Involved in gang activity from his youth, Marcellus spent much of his time running from the law, carrying knives and dealing with the consequences of his lifestyle through the deaths of close loved ones. A moment of chance changed Marcellus’s life forever, when he was avoiding the police and found himself in a leisure centre boxing class. Supported by the coach, Marcellus reformed his life through learning to box, and was signing a professional contract when his past life caught up with him, an incident that ruled his fists out from professional competition.
Admired and respected internationally for his work, Marcellus was awarded the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award in 2016, followed by the British Empire Medal in honour of his services to community, youth and boxing. In addition, Marcellus’ hands-on involvement as a coach saw him named Community Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching’s Coaching Awards. For his incredible influence and achievements, Marcellus has been invited as an inspirational speaker to attend events as far afield as LA, a testament to his vast impact. A true hero of the community, for a talk like no other, hire Marcellus Baz today.
How to hire Marcellus Baz
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Marcellus Baz for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
When he's at corporate events, Marcellus is known to cover the following topics:
- Switch up and Nottingham School of Boxing
- Gang culture and the rise in knife crime
- Physical activity mentorship, counselling and education
- The value of physical activity
- Youth crime and mental health
- The importance of positive role models
- Building a career with a criminal record
“Amazing motivational and Inspirational speech by Marcellus Baz. Brilliant to see the power of sport and the influence it can have.”
“What a privilege to listen to Marcellus Baz at today’s conference. A truly inspirational figure.”
“An inspirational perspective on influence circles, identity, stigma and dialogues developed through sport.” TEDX attendee
“Marcellus was an absolute inspiration. He has given me renewed motivation to keep doing my job to the best of my ability, despite all the challenges we are facing”
UNISON Police & Justice Team
