This week’s episode will focus on Black women working in the Education sector, with Aisha Thomas.
To build a more inclusive education system, the teaching workforce must be representative of the communities they seek to serve– and yet people of colour are considerably underrepresented in the teaching workforce, especially among school leaders.
Aisha's career began in law but took a transformative turn towards education, where she quickly became an influential Assistant Principal at a secondary school in East
Central Bristol. Now leading Representation Matters Ltd, she focuses on anti-racist practice, equity, and justice in education. As a university guest lecturer and the author of 'Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator' (2022), Aisha is
at the forefront of shaping future educators.
Her doctoral research explores anti-racist practices in educational leadership, furthering her commitment to systemic change. Aisha's impact extends beyond academia; she's a recognised voice in media, highlighted by her BBC documentary on the scarcity of black teachers in Bristol and her TEDx talk on the importance of
representation.
Aisha's dedication to social justice is acknowledged through numerous awards: the Positive Role Model at the Bristol Diversity Awards (2020), Special Recognition
from Bristol Black History Month magazine (2021), Baton Awards Campaigner of the Year (2021), Rise Awards Entrepreneur of the Year (2022), and an MBE (2022). In 2023, she was honoured as Inspiration Mum of the Year, showcasing her role as a pivotal figure in both her family and the broader community.
