AWARD-winning humanitarian, inspirational speaker and tennis coach Sam Jalloh will be presenting his brand new show ‘Yes I Can:- An Inspiring Evening with Sam P Jalloh’ in Southport this week.
This special event, with a series of special guests, will take place at The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport between 7pm and 9.30pm this Friday, 10 July 2026.
Get ready for a night that will move you, lift you, and stay with you long after the final applause.
Sam P Jalloh is a Sierra Leone civil war survivor, humanitarian, international tennis coach, author, TEDx speaker, and winner of the BBC Inspirations Award 2020.
In this special evening, he will share his powerful journey from adversity to success through an uplifting, high-energy live experience.
From the moment the African drums begin to pulse through the room, you’ll feel your energy rise as music, dance, and powerful storytelling come together.
Expect laughter and moments that bring tears to your eyes as the dad-of-2 and proud Southport resident shares his incredible journey with honesty, humour, and heart. Including audience participation and a message that reminds you of your own strength, you’ll leave feeling empowered and truly believing… Yes, I Can.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening.
Sam’s latest book is Yes I Can.
His previous works include How Tennis Saved My Life and Can’t Break The African Spirit.
VIP Experience:-
Begin this special evening with a VIP drinks reception where Sam P Jollah will be present. You will enjoy a pre‑show drink accompanied by live music and receive an exclusive signed copy of ‘Yes I Can’ before taking your place in the best seats in the house.
Evening Schedule:-
5:30pm – 6pm Theatre Bar open to VIP ticket holders only
6pm Theatre Bar open to all ticket holders
6:30pm Theatre door opens
7pm – 9:30 ‘Yes I Can’ show
Tickets are available here.
Sam grew up in poverty in Sierra Leone in west Africa.
He had a passion for tennis and his incredible determination saw him become an international tennis star for his country.
He moved to Southport in England 23 years ago and has enjoyed calling the town home.
Sam has visited 98 different countries so far in his lifetime, giving inspirational talks to children and adults around the world, and coaching some of the game’s biggest talents.
He said:- “Please come and join my friends and me at the Atkinson Theatre in Southport. It promises to be a night of storytelling, inspiration, music, laughter, and transformation. Yes I Can is not just my story, but yours as well. Bring your friends and family to learn how to build resilience and discover what it takes to make your dreams come true. The event will feature Si Valentine, Roy Basnett, Carol Oletha, Amy Kirk, Richard Askam, Sierra Jalloh, Ellie Gray, and Anna Hrynchuk from Ukraine and Stephen Robinson. It will truly be a night to remember. See you there!”
Sam survived the civil war in Sierra Leone, and against all the odds managed to escape and build a successful career in tennis and motivational speaking.
He grew up in Sierra Leone where food was scarce, dangers were rife and the challenges many.
Tragically he saw the cruel realities of civil war 1st hand when he saw his best friend shot and killed while he was next to him. His outlook on life changed instantly.
He left the war-torn country and eventually settled in Southport, where he married and has enjoyed raising twin daughters Sierra and Sahara.
He has travelled the world coaching some of the biggest names in tennis.
He has also toured a huge number of countries across the globe sharing his story and his message for the future. He particularly enjoys speaking to and spending time with young people as he seeks to help them to understand the world they are growing into.
He said:- “After surviving my birth in Sierra Leone, a country that continues to have 1 of the highest neonatal and infant mortality rates in the world, I went on to be the 1st boy in my family to celebrate my 2nd birthday - unlike my 3 brothers born before me. At the age of 6, I was adopted from my biological parents to a new home where I faced constant punishment. After my best friend got shot, that really changed me. When it happened, I looked at my Mum and she looked at me in a way that said ‘I don’t want to see that happen to you. To this day, I ask myself ‘what if’? What if we had been standing just 10 yards away from where we were when my friend was shot? When I was growing up, I suffered many beatings from my adopted family, and then saw the brutality of the civil war in Sierra Leone, where a quarter of a million people lost their lives. In a small way, this is my story, but in a greater sense this is our story. Regardless of my origin or where you come from, we are connected through history and the deeds of those who came before us.”
‘Yes I Can’ by Sam P. Jalloh is available here.
