BLOG: In conversation with Rachel Clarke and Liz Pemberton - a reading list

At the end of September 2021, the monument celebrating the life and contributions made by Betty Campbell to educate and equality was unveiled in Cardiff. This is the first, non-fictional statue of a women in Wales, and one of only two statues of a Black British female in the UK. 
 

Betty Campbell statue, Cardiff

Early Years Wales hosted a 3-part conversation with Rachel Clarke, granddaughter of Betty Campbell, Deputy Head Teacher and Leadership Consultant, and Liz Pemberton, The Black Nursery Manager - Anti-racist trainer and consultant where they examined their own journeys working in Education and reflecting on their personalities as Black women in this space. 

Below you will can find recaps of these sessions and suggested reading lists. 

Wednesday 17th November 2021. 

How has Anti-racist practice impacted the hyper-visibility of Black women in edicational leadership?

Rachel and Liz talked about:

  • Their journeys in Educational Leadership as Black women.
  • White women's complicity in upholding systemic racism within educational spaces.
  • The power of their Mothers and Grandmothers. 
  • Why Black men always seem to have pastoral/behaviour management roles in education spaces.
  • The necessity to recognise that although Wales' Government has led by ensuring that Black History is taught in schools, this does not negate from the fact that racism is very much alive and kicking in there.

Credit: The Black Nursery Manager

Reading list:

  • Black Teacher: An unsun heroine of Black British Literature' (Beryl Gillroy & Bernardine Evaristo) (ASIN: B08NRTHFZS)
  • The Trouble with White Women: A counterhistory of Feminism (Kyla Schuller, Britney Cooper) (ISBN: 10 1645036898)
  • White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women (Ruby Hamad) (ISBN: 10 1398703109)
  • They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South (Stephanie E Jones-Rogers) (ISBN: 10 0300251831)
  • My Skin, Your Skin: Let's Talk About Race, Racism and Empowerment (Laura Henry-Allain MBE & Onyinye Iwu) (ISBN: 10 0241512735)

You may also be interested in:

Supporting Racial Equality in the Early Years: A Reading List (Early Years Wales)

Rachel and Liz will be holding a question and answer session on Tuesday 7th December.

Visit our events page to find more information and book your place.

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