'Turning trauma into triumph': This is the truth about growing up Black in the care system

As of 2023, Black children make up 7% of the children in care in England, though they represent only 5% of the general child population.

Ric Flo, rap artist and director of the record label Mantra Music, and Judith Denton, founder of the Black Care Experience, know this journey personally, having entered England’s foster care system at eight and nine years old respectively.

Together, they’ve created a powerful new single, All I Need, which shares the heart and truth of growing up Black in the care system – a resonant voice for the often-unheard experiences of so many young people.

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Ric Flo: ‘Turning trauma into triumph’ is something I have always loved about rap.

It was the catalyst for creating my solo album, ‘A Boy Called Ric’ which was partly inspired by my care experience. I wanted my music to show that regardless of your past, a successful future is possible. After my first album, I started to do workshops within the care sector to help young people with their music and creative confidence. This journey led to the creation of Mantra Music, a record label supporting the next generation of care leavers who want to pursue their passion for music.

I was fostered from the age of eight to 23, moving four times during that time. I am now 38. To this day, I believe in turning a negative into a positive, helping others with similar experiences in the care system. So it was a pleasure to be asked to write a song for the Black Care Experience Conference earlier this year.

Judith Denton: It was our third conference, and the theme was, ‘Changing Our Narrative Together! Is Love Really Enough?!’. I asked Ric, who was the perfect fit, to write a song and bring this theme to life. 

Like Ric, I lived with my foster carers from primary school age (starting at nine years old) but in contrast to Ric, I stayed with the same family until I was 26. Amidst the challenges, my foster carers and various mentors helped me believe I could achieve anything I set my mind to.  

To rewind a little, I set up my Community Interest Company (CIC) called The Transformed You in 2013, delivering an Intervention and Support Mentoring Service for children and young people in care. 

Through this work, I became concerned that the care system wasn’t meeting the needs of Black children and young people. For example, the right hair and skin care was not in place, causing some to look unkempt. There was a disconnect from their culture, identity, and heritage, leaving them without a positive sense of self or origin. They weren’t prepared for the racism and discrimination they’d face in care and beyond, nor were their aspirations affirmed.

In 2020, I learned that Black care leavers have the poorest outcomes and life chances compared to any other ethnic group in the care system. That’s why The Black Care Experience movement was born, to change the narrative; with a mission to educate and train those who work in the children’s social care sector. 

Throughout the sector, it is often said, ‘All they need is love,’ but is love really enough for us, the children and young people who have grown up in – and those still in – the care system? We know love can be conditional; as Ric says in All I Need, ‘It’s all love until it’s not enough.’

Some caregivers may struggle to give genuine love if they haven’t experienced it themselves. Those who do offer unconditional love know it takes more than that – it requires commitment, support through hard times, and creating safe spaces for healing, so care-experienced young people can be nurtured to flourish and thrive. 

Ric: The All I Need chorus is an interpretation of the 90s classic hip-hop single of the same name by Method Man and Mary J Blige which I love for its tone and sentiment. The difference in this version is it speaks to everyone who supports Black care-experienced young people.

‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is an African proverb that I wanted to echo in the track too. The message is clear; if we all join forces in supporting and helping to bring up young people, their lives will be better; everyone’s lives will be better. 

I also think it’s really important to champion positive role models. In my work, I nod to Black icons such as Nigerian singer/songwriter Wizkid and Olympic champions like Kris Akabusi who is also care-experienced. They represent Black excellence, affirmation and resilience. 

In the process of writing All I Need, I discovered a hidden talent – Judith Denton can sing! 

It has been a great experience sharing the spotlight with another Black care-experienced advocate.

The final song is charged with uplifting energy and a deliberate sense of empowerment. An important moment of celebration. When the single was recently released, that same note of celebration reached the community and beyond. I hope the music continues to inspire people to lead by example and be the change they want to see in the world. 

Judith: Through mine and Ric’s creative collaboration, we’ve let Black children and young people who are in care know we’re here to help make their journey better.

And for anyone with past care experience, they will know they are seen and no longer hidden. 

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