Reclaiming Narratives: Reflecting on Black History Month 2024
Black History Month 2024 may have concluded two weeks ago, but the theme of “Reclaiming Narratives” remains as relevant as ever. We believe it’s vital to carry forward this momentum, reflecting on what this message means for us as an organisation and ensuring that Black History Month isn’t just revisited annually but informs our actions year-round. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of “Reclaiming Narratives,” reflect on our ongoing journey, and consider the work still to come.
Reclaiming Narratives and Transforming Futures
At Forward Ever Inclusive Education, we are deeply committed to supporting and empowering minoritised ethnic groups in the UK. While these communities may be minoritised within the UK context, they represent the global majority, with vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions that have shaped the world.
Our mission is to help these communities reclaim, redefine, and amplify their narratives. This means moving beyond stories that centre on adversity to celebrating resilience, growth, and empowerment. For us, “Reclaiming Narratives” involves critically reexamining historical records, uplifting lived experiences, and honouring the unique heritages and ongoing contributions of Black and racialised communities. It also means challenging traditional narratives that often exclude or misrepresent these communities in history books, media, and education systems.
The persistence of inequalities within the UK education system is one of the narratives that we think is important to re-claim. When presented with student attainment statistics, a negative narrative of low attainment among minoritised pupils is perpetuated. However, reports such as Teach First, highlight the systemic challenges faced by ethnic minority pupils, particularly Black students. These range from a lack of representation in teaching and leadership roles—only 10% of teachers come from ethnic minority backgrounds, a figure that drops significantly in senior positions—to a curriculum that often fails to reflect diverse histories or perspectives. For instance, some of the largest exam boards offer no texts by Black authors, while others include only a token few. This Eurocentric focus not only limits students’ understanding of the world but also perpetuates exclusion, denying many young people the opportunity to see themselves and their histories valued in the classroom.
At Forward Ever Inclusive Education, we believe reclaiming narratives begins with transforming the spaces where young people learn. By embedding diversity in curricula, representation, and leadership, we aim to create an educational environment where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered. Promoting an inclusive education framework equips both learners and educators to recognise the richness of diverse perspectives, laying the foundation for a more just and equitable society.
Addressing Disparities to Transform Futures
The disparities within the UK education system are stark. School exclusion rates for Black students, particularly those of Black Caribbean heritage, reveal systemic issues (Timpson Review of School Exclusion 2019). Black Caribbean pupils are 1.7 times more likely to be permanently excluded than their White peers, even when factors like poverty and special educational needs (SEN) are accounted for. Exclusion rates vary significantly by region, with some areas seeing rates as high as 2%, while others report nearly zero. This variation highlights the influence of local factors such as poverty, unconscious bias, cultural misunderstandings, and differing school policies.
A holistic approach is essential to addressing these disparities. National initiatives must focus on increasing ethnic inclusivity, transparency, and community collaboration while addressing broader socioeconomic influences. Alongside these efforts, we continue to advocate for localised strategies that address the unique needs of communities and schools.
Despite these challenges, there are encouraging trends. Black pupils often make more progress between primary and secondary school than their White peers, and they are more likely to enter higher education (Educational Outcomes for Black Pupils and Students). However, systemic barriers persist, particularly for Black Caribbean students, who face lower pass rates in core GCSE subjects such as English and maths. Even in higher education, Black students encounter hurdles in achieving top grades, gaining entry to prestigious universities, and accessing high-skilled careers. Addressing these gaps requires a concerted effort to provide targeted support that paves the way for equitable academic and career opportunities.
Challenging Negative Narratives
The media often amplifies stories of struggle and adversity experienced by minoritised ethnic communities in the UK. While these stories reflect real challenges, they can overshadow narratives of strength, resilience, and success.
As our CEO David Williams puts it:
“You don’t have to search too hard to unearth negative narratives about the experiences of minoritised ethnic groups in the UK. These stories are prevalent across the media. However, at Forward Ever Inclusive Education, we are committed to shifting this focus. We aim to challenge the status quo and create a more equitable society where minoritised communities, regardless of age, receive the justice, equity, and inclusion they are entitled to.”
This commitment is at the heart of our work. By championing positive and empowering stories, we seek to highlight the many contributions of minoritised communities across the UK. Our goal is to ensure that these narratives inspire not only recognition and inclusion but also action toward a fairer and more representative society.
Celebrating Positive Interventions
Part of our mission at Forward Ever is to spotlight the positive interventions taking place across the country that aim to build a more equitable society. This includes initiatives that focus on empowering young people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, amplifying their voices, and ensuring they are seen, heard, and valued. We hope that highlighting these actions will inspire further efforts and create a lasting impact on the fight against racial discrimination. This approach of focusing on positive change doesn’t mean we are ignoring the very real issues and incidents of racial injustice that are pervasive in our society. Instead, it brings attention to the good work that is often overlooked and that, when scaled and supported, can help shape a more just future. By celebrating this progress, we aim to create momentum for more of the same, working toward a future where these positive stories become the norm rather than the exception.
Get Involved
If you’re a community arts practitioner or someone interested in supporting individuals through creative means, this project could be invaluable for you. Keep an eye on Hip Hop Heals, Forward Ever, and Kanzi’s social media channels for updates on the availability of the online training programme.
For those looking to stay engaged with the progress of the Rap School of Life, following these organisations on social media is the best way to stay updated on upcoming events, workshops, and success stories.
Organisations Leading the Way
Across the UK, numerous organisations are dedicated to fostering change for minoritised ethnic communities. Groups like Our Pain 2 Power, Mary’s Charity, Elevated Minds, and Peer Power are all making a difference by working with young people from these backgrounds to raise awareness about the challenges they face. Through collaborative efforts, these organisations help young people share their stories directly with professionals who directly impact their lives—police officers, social workers, educators, and more. This knowledge-sharing equips these professionals with the understanding they need to engage with minoritised communities more empathetically and effectively.
For example, one of the initiatives we support involves minoritised ethnic young people openly sharing their lived experiences with professionals. This exchange is more than a discussion; it’s a transfer of essential knowledge that informs and reshapes how these professionals interact with young people from diverse backgrounds. Every time a police officer or a social worker gains deeper insight from these conversations, they become better prepared to create safe, supportive environments where all young people can thrive.
Building a Better Future Together
At Forward Ever Inclusive Education, we believe that by making space for these voices and experiences, we are paving the way for a society that values and respects all minoritised communities.
As David emphasised:
“This commitment to reclaiming narratives is not just an obligation to the past or a hope for the future—it is a responsibility we hold right now. We owe this dedication to those who fought for racial equity before us, ourselves, and the generations that will come after us.”
Black History Month 2024 may have concluded, but we are committed to embracing the spirit of “Reclaiming Narratives” in everything we do. By championing underrepresented voices, celebrating positive change, and challenging the status quo, we move closer to the world we envision, one where every narrative is recognised, every story is valued, and every person has the opportunity to thrive.