Black History Month must lead to action, not just conversation
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 11:32 · Archive
Ellisha Soanes of Aspire Black Suffolk argues that Black History Month should drive systemic change beyond awareness-raising.
Ellisha Soanes, a national educational consultant and director of Aspire Black Suffolk, has written that Black History Month should drive systemic change rather than simply raising awareness. She notes that the UK held its first official Black History Month in October 1987, and argues that nearly four decades later, institutions must move beyond starting conversations to creating action.
For schools and colleges, Soanes says this means embedding diversity throughout curricula rather than limiting Black history to October assemblies and displays. For organisations, she argues it requires concrete steps on recruitment, staff progression, leadership representation, commissioning practices and community engagement. For leaders generally, she states that inclusion cannot be treated as someone else's responsibility.
Soanes has worked on regional projects to embed Black history throughout school curricula and co-created a children's book called Elimu – The Little Book of Knowledge with Tonia Wilson. She is launching a second children's book this month, developed with young people and educators. She frames these as examples of moving from conversation to action.
How it is being reported
- Opinion: My 10 changemakers in Suffolk and wider region for Black History MonthEllisha Soanes of Aspire Black Suffolk in Ipswich discusses Black History Month and lists her 10 changemakersEast Anglian Daily Times · 20 Oct, 10:39
- Opinion: My 10 changemakers in Suffolk and wider region for Black History MonthEllisha Soanes of Aspire Black Suffolk in Ipswich discusses Black History Month and lists her 10 changemakersIpswich Star · 20 Oct, 10:39
In this story: Ellisha Soanes · Aspire Black Suffolk · Ipswich · Suffolk · Tonia Wilson
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