To celebrate Black History Month, we’re proud to share this thoughtful piece from our ambassador, Samantha Amponteng. In her blog, Samantha reflects on this year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” through the lens of her own journey as a young Black woman studying Sociology at the University of Leicester. Drawing on her experiences in education, community work and mentoring, she explores what it means to stand in your power, stay rooted in purpose, and drive change for others. 

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This Black History Month, the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” reflects my journey as a young Black woman studying Sociology at the University of Leicester.

As a Black student, I’ve always been deeply aware of how race, gender, and class shape our lives - especially within the education system. These parts of my identity aren’t just labels; they’ve influenced how I see the world, how the world sees me, and how I’ve navigated school, society, and opportunity.

Growing up, I noticed how the systems around us don’t always support everyone equally. I became particularly interested in how schools and policies affect young people’s identities - and how they can either reinforce inequality or support transformation. It’s a big part of why I care so deeply about education - not just as a place of learning, but as a place where futures are shaped.

My interest in justice and inclusion led me to work with The Peace Alliance London. During my time here, I explored how exclusion policies - such as suspensions and disciplinary measures - impact students from low-income communities. 

I had the opportunity to shadow young, peer researchers and participate in focus groups to better understand their experiences surrounding exclusion. It was an amazing experience watching young people come together, using research to tackle the social issues they saw within their communities. 

What I found was eye-opening: exclusion often has less to do with "bad behaviour" and more to do with students being unsupported, misunderstood, or facing struggles at home and within their communities. This experience led me to question the fairness and effectiveness of the very policies designed to “manage” behaviour. I began to ask: who are these policies really serving? 

And what would it look like if schools focused more on care, understanding, and early intervention instead of punishment? Most importantly, I saw how easily students, especially Black students and those from working-class backgrounds, can be labelled, written off, or pushed out of the system altogether. This reinforced my belief that real educational reform must centre the voices of those most affected and work actively to dismantle the barriers they face.

Outside the classroom, I’ve developed confidence and adaptability through experiences like The Girls’ Network. Shadowing a mentor at a fintech company gave me a new perspective on workplace dynamics and helped me build essential skills like communication and organisation.

Standing firm in power means staying rooted in purpose while challenging systems that limit opportunity. Pride comes from knowing my history, embracing my identity, and using both to create meaningful change.

Black History Month is more than reflection - it's a call to action. I’m inspired by those who came before me and determined to continue their legacy by advocating for equity in education and beyond.

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A huge thank you to Samantha for sharing such an insightful and powerful reflection. Her words are a reminder of why amplifying young women’s voices is so important, and how much we can learn from their perspectives.