As Black History Month continues to bring attention to the rich cultural contributions of Black and Brown communities, many campaigners are calling for these important stories to be integrated into the core of everyday education. Black history is not just a subject for one month of the year—it should be part of the curriculum all year round.
At Aspire Black Suffolk, we’ve been at the forefront of these efforts, with our co-director, Ellisha Soanes, leading conversations on how we can embed Black history into everyday learning. Recently, Ellisha was featured in both BBC News and ITV News, where she shared her thoughts on why the work we do to make Black history accessible and relevant throughout the year is so crucial.
Starting Conversations Beyond October: BBC News Interview with Ellisha Soanes
In an interview with BBC News, Ellisha Soanes emphasised the need for conversations about Black history to extend beyond Black History Month. As a co-director of Aspire Black Suffolk, Ellisha has long been advocating for Black history to be a continuous part of school curriculums, highlighting the importance of teaching a broader range of narratives from Black and Brown communities.
Ellisha stated, "It’s about how we move forward. How do we teach it? Because I’m not Black just in a month and then back in my box. It’s about what narratives and what stories are being told in history, what stories are being told from different communities?"
Aspire Black Suffolk has already made strides in this area, including working with Suffolk Museums to publish Elimu – The Little Book of Knowledge, an educational resource that supports schools in delivering inclusive Black history content throughout the academic year.
To read the full BBC News article and learn more about Ellisha’s perspective, click here.
ITV News Feature: Calling for Year-Round Black History in Schools
In addition to her BBC interview, Ellisha also appeared on ITV News to further advocate for making Black history a regular part of school curriculums. She discussed the importance of teaching about Black inventors, soldiers, and the Windrush generation beyond the confines of a single month.
Speaking passionately about the issue, Ellisha said: "Black history is confined into a month and what tends to happen is it’s civil rights or slavery... But where are the positive stories of Black inventors, Black soldiers? It’s always a deficit model.”
This conversation echoes the work Aspire Black Suffolk has been doing, as we continue to push for schools to recognise the value of teaching the full scope of Black history. Ellisha’s involvement in national conversations further reinforces the importance of this mission, which is already being seen in places like Wales, where Black, Asian, and minority ethnic history is now part of the mandatory school curriculum.
Watch the ITV News interview and hear Ellisha’s insights below:
Why It Matters
The conversations we are having now about the representation of Black and Brown stories in the classroom are vital. The impact of inclusive education goes beyond school walls—it shapes how future generations understand and appreciate the diverse contributions that have built our society. Black history is British history, and it deserves to be taught every day, not just in October.
At Aspire Black Suffolk, we remain committed to ensuring that Black history is embedded in education year-round. Whether through our workshops, educational resources, or public advocacy, we will continue to work with schools, communities, and policymakers to create lasting change.
If you’re passionate about this cause or want to get involved in our initiatives, please reach out to us here.
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