Although the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities’ failed attempt at extreme gaslighting may suggest otherwise (1), Afrikan children continue to endure  immense challenges in the UK school system as they have for generations. (2)  Indeed, late last year, even the folks at the YMCA reported that “Almost all Black British children have experienced racism at school.” (3)

Unfortunately, if we accept the assertion of Dr Kehinde Andrews, Black Studies professor at Birmingham City University that the  “Black radical goal of Black independent schools being nowhere on the horizon”, then for the time being at least the community will have to find ways to negotiate paths through the mainstream school system. (4)  Which suggests that as valuable that the ‘Supplementary school system and other rites of passage type initiatives are, additional resources may be needed.

Within the UK school curriculum, Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education (also known as Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education – PSHCE) is supposed to be “an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education” [to]  “equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.” (5)

Yet, as laudable as these objectives are, experienced practitioners within the community assert that it is “a curriculum that cannot meet the specific needs of young Black students.” (6)

In response, Sis. Krystal Rubie, has used her 15 years-experience as a teacher, as well year and subject head, to develop The Young Black Leaders course that teaches young people to be the leaders of their own lives by:

• Exposure to inspiring ancestral and community accomplishments
• Providing guidance to navigate their present
• Setting out and supporting personal plans for future career, business, personal and community goals.

(https://www.youngblackleaders.org/course-outline.html)

Sis. Krystal sees the 30-week course for Afrikan children aged 9-17 years as part of the nation building effort that will not only engage the young people themselves but also their parents/families and the community at large.

Elements of the Pan-Afrikan community in the UK have at times had an arguably ambivalent relationship with the concept of leadership (or perhaps more pointedly with people called leader). (7) But for all people seeking self-determination, leadership is a fundamental component.  Our most celebrated leader, Marcus Mosiah Garvey exemplified this with his demand that all us, and particularly our leaders develop “sterling character.” (8)

So, it is refreshing that a young educator can correctly apply the concept of leadership as an essential tool of self-mastery in the hostile environment of the UK school system that can be extended into service to the nation.

(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio  (05/04/21) GUK: Institutionally Racist No More? https://www.alkebulan.org/2021/04/05/aswag-326-cred-report/

(2) Niamh McIntyre, Nazia Parveen and Tobi Thomas (29/03/21) Exclusion rates five times higher for black Caribbean pupils in parts of England. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/24/exclusion-rates-black-caribbean-pupils-england; Kuba Shand-Baptiste (12/-1/20) UK schools have targeted black children for generations – the education system is overdue for a reckoning https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/school-racism-black-students-exclusions-hair-kiss-teeth-a9280296.html

(3) Natalie Marchant (18/11/20) Study: Almost all Black British children have experienced racism at school. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/racism-united-kingdom-schools-black-children-inequality/

(4) Kehinde N. Andrews (2010) Back to Black: Black Radicalism and the Supplementary School Movement. PhD Thesis. p. 137. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/1457/1/Andrews_11_PhD.pdf

(5) Department For Education (11/02/20) Guidance: Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe/personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-education

(6) young black leaders.org (2020) Meet The Founder. https://www.youngblackleaders.org/meet-the-founder.html

(7) There are countless memes on Black Twitter, Facebook, etc. demanding “stop waiting for leaders” (while highlighting leaders) imploring YOU to do it (https://twitter.com/blkhiststudies/status/1210875565001052161). Also, some years ago an organisation in the copmmunity put on an event celebrating Omowale Malcolm X entitled ‘Leadership not Leaders.’

(8) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2017) Mosiah Daily Affirmations. Soul Force Promotions. p. 1

we ask the question:

Do our young people need leadership training?

1) Will the UK school system ever be a place of growth for our young people?

2) Why can’t the existing PSHE curriculum meet the specific needs of young Black students.?

3) What do we understand by the term ‘leader’?

4) How should we develop young Black leaders?

Our special Guest:

Sis. Krystal Rubie: is a mother of two who is a psychology graduate and a high school science teacher of fifteen years.  Sis. Krystal is a Black History enthusiast. 

She has been an A Level  Science subject Head and Year Head teaching in mainstream and SEN schools.  Having identified the problems with the mainstream Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) curriculum she developed the Young Black Leaders course as a tool of empowerment for them, their families and community.

St. Vincent & The Grenadines Fundraising Campaign: https://gofund.me/e3160441