Entertainment Sports F1 Star Lewis Hamilton Launches Partnership to Hire 150 Black STEM Teachers: 'Incredibly Proud' "We hope to create a framework the wider education industry can implement," Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, said By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 6, 2021 03:19PM EDT Photo: Yuri Kochetkov - Pool/Getty Lewis Hamilton is not only leading the pack in Formula 1 but also in efforts to recruit science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers of color in England. Mission 44, the charity helmed by the 36-year-old Mercedes driver, announced this week a partnership with Teach First, a United Kingdom-based organization, to bring 150 Black STEM teachers to schools in England. "I am incredibly proud to be announcing the first partnership from Mission 44 today," Hamilton said in a statement. "Our work with Teach First is another step towards addressing barriers preventing young Black students' engagement with STEM, as identified in The Hamilton Commission report." Hamilton, who is currently leading the standings in his quest for a record-setting eighth F1 title this season, said having role models of color in classrooms will help support the development of young students. Formula 1 Driver Lewis Hamilton Says He Owes His Success to His Dad: 'He's the Real Hero' Getty "By establishing this partnership, which focuses on identifying the best way to attract Black talent to STEM teaching roles, we hope to create a framework the wider education industry can implement," he said. "It's our hope other organizations recruiting teachers will support and join us on our mission to see more diversity in the classroom," Hamilton added. According to ESPN, Hamilton pledged more than $27 million to Mission 44 in July. Lewis Hamilton Ties Michael Schumacher's Record of 7 F1 World Championships: 'Means the World to Me' "The entire Teach First community is very excited to launch this partnership with Mission 44 and Lewis Hamilton," Dame Vivian Hunt, the head of Teach First, said in a statement posted on their website. "There is an urgent need for quality teachers as we address the educational disadvantage in the poorest communities across the U.K." "This partnership is an opportunity for this to change," she added, in part. "Recruiting more Black STEM teachers over the next two years sends a clear message for Black students that they too can aspire to have a successful career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics." RELATED VIDEO: Meet the World's Youngest Astronaut-in-Training, Who Is Getting Young Women Interested in Space The announcement comes just days before Hamilton continues his F1 title defense at the Turkish Grand Prix on Oct. 10. He currently leads the Driver's Championship by a nail-bitingly close two points.