“The UK is yet to have a national reckoning around its role in colonialism”

Lavinya Stennett on the importance of teaching Black history in schools

Lavinya Stennett, 29, is founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum, an educational tool that enables young people across the UK – and beyond – to learn about the history of colonialism.Here, she shares what inspired the idea, why reparatory justice matters and the impact her organization is having on young people…

In 2016, I received my A Level results. I didn’t get my first-choice university, so went through clearing [how universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses]. I received a place at SOAS to do African Studies. I didn’t know much about the university, but my mum insisted I go.

The course changed my life. Prior to my degree, I hadn’t been able to access any information around African history that was empowering or wasn’t just focused on enslavement.

I started learning from African lecturers and it was such a grounding experience. I received a scholarship to go to Aotearoa New Zealand, where I learned a lot about Māori land law, as well as issues around the colonization and theft of land, and it just put everything into context.