Join us in person to explore the power of Black supplementary schools and plan our next moves together!

STILL HERE: Black Supplementary Schools, Their Impact and What We Do Next

STILL HERE brings doctoral research back to the community in which it was carried out. The event presents key findings from an ethnographic study conducted with Project Ujima, a Black Supplementary School in Chapeltown, Leeds, and creates space for parents, educators and community leaders to decide what should happen next.

The research draws on the experiences of young people, parents and community stakeholders. It examines how racism, low expectations and limited representation continue to affect Black children in mainstream education, and how a Black Supplementary School responds through high expectations, community connection and safe, empowering Black spaces.

The afternoon will combine a research presentation with community responses, discussion and practical planning. It will also mark the launch of the Coalition for Black Education, an initiative intended to strengthen Black Supplementary Schools, support community-led educational action and work with mainstream schools to challenge racism in education.

Speakers

Keynote speaker: Dr Rachel Boyle, Dean of the Carnegie School of Education, which sponsored the research through the Gertrude Paul Scholarship.

Main presenter: Dr Jonah Ulebor, who carried out the doctoral research with Project Ujima.

What we will explore

What young people, parents and community stakeholders said about education and racism

The role and impact of Black Supplementary Schools today

Why high expectations, Black identity and representation matter in mainstream schools

What sustainable, community-led support for Black Supplementary Schools requires

How racial literacy, culturally relevant teaching and active anti-racism can improve mainstream education

The priorities and first actions of the Coalition for Black Education

Who should attend

Parents, carers and young people

Black Supplementary School leaders, teachers, volunteers and trustees

Community organisations, faith groups, local leaders and activists

Headteachers, governors, diversity leads and education professionals in mainstream schools

Researchers, policymakers, funders and organisations concerned with educational equity

Venue: The Knowledge Centre, Rose Bowl. Leeds Beckett University

Accessibility and participation

Please use the registration form to tell us about access requirements, dietary requirements and any support needed to participate. For other enquiries, contact Jonah Ulebor by email to j.ulebor@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Description supplied by the event organiser.