After sunset on Wednesday 22 April, the exterior façade of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up orange in support of Stephen Lawrence Day.

About Stephen Lawrence Day

Stephen Lawrence Day takes place every year on 22 April, the anniversary of Stephen’s death.

It is a national moment of reflection and a call to action that aims to:

• honour Stephen’s life
• challenge injustice
• support young people to imagine their futures

Stephen Lawrence and his legacy

Stephen Lawrence grew up in south‑east London with his family. He was a student with ambitions to become an architect and wanted to make a positive difference in his community.

On 22 April 1993, aged 18 years, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack.

A public inquiry into how the case was handled led to the Macpherson Report in 1998, which brought lasting changes to attitudes towards racism, the law and police practice, and influenced equalities legislation.

Find out more

For more information about Stephen Lawrence and his legacy, visit the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation website.

Article published: 16 April 2026