Class Act: The Club Turning Inner-City Boys Into Gentlemen

YOUNG inner-city boys are being pulled away from the lure of crime and drugs by learning how to act and dress like dapper gentlemen. The Boys With a Purpose programme set up in Charleston, South Carolina, teaches etiquette and self-respect to children aged 7-11. Every week the group of boys practice how to shake hands, hold eye-contact and learn how to dress well - with the aim of giving them a brighter future. Some of the boys come from single-parent households or areas that are deemed ‘high-risk’ for crime. The club’s motto is Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good - and part of the lessons revolves about being able to dress well, tie ties and bowties and to take pride in their appearance. For more information, visit www.boyswithapurposesc.org.

Videographer / director: Ruaridh Connellan
Producer: John Balson, Ruby Coote
Editor: James Thorne