From drug dealer to social entrepreneur, the story of Mo

Mubarak Mohamud, better known as Mo, is a former drug dealer in Camden. He was involved in a gang when he was a teenager and lost a friend, stabbed in a gang fight. It definitely changed his life and encouraged him to get off the streets.

In 2013, he managed to overcome the obstacles and became a social entrepreneur to help local children by funding minutes what he calls "Minutes of Education" through products he sell. He launched his ethical fashion brand Clime it Brothers Ltd and now he sells his products in the heart of Camden market.

"Body language is very important"

When people enter his shop, they can see these words written on the wall : "Every item bought in this shop adds minutes of education to our academy." People can also see how many minutes of education the shop has secured for young local communities and how many minutes have been used up during the month. Mo helps young people with their communication skills to give them a chance to get employed : "When I was younger I used to speak so street, that it was hard to communicate. If you can't understand when I say hello, how can you understand my problems? Body language is very important." His theatre studies at the University of East London underpinned his vision.

"Let's use tourism for something"

28 million people visit each year the Camden Market. Meanwhile in 2018, the crime rate in Camden was higher than average for the Metropolitan force area, according to Office for National Statistics. "Take a walk in Camden at night. You'll see what's left behind when shops are closed, when the tourists go. A lot of young kids aged 15-16 wasting their lives, taking drugs, killing each other. This is the problem." Mo said he wanted to use tourism for something. He added : "Indirectly, when people buy something, they are actually helping a community." Fashion with conscience, it is Clime it Brothers mantra.