The number of Black teachers moving into middle and senior leadership roles in schools within the United Kingdom is still considerably low when compared to teachers from other ethnic backgrounds. The reasons for this are varied, but one key message that comes up time and again relates to the adage, ‘you cannot be what you cannot see.’ In this third book in the Letters to a Young Generation series, Black headteachers from across the United Kingdom have written letters sharing their advice to the next generation of Black school leaders. This book is for those considering applying for a school leadership role who need to understand not only why they would want to become a leader in the current educational climate, but also why they want would do so when there is still such a lack of representation within the profession. The letters are honest, heartfelt and a reminder of exactly why representation matters.

With contributions from: Evelyn Forde MBE, Jacqui Gillespie, Dean Gordon, Frances Akinde, Emmanuel Botwe, Jay Barber, Sophia Bryan-Whyte, Jane Carrington, Patrick Cozier, Cristalina Fernandes-Bates, Viv Grant, Claudet Hedman, Caroline King, Claudia Fleary-Tayabali, Andrea Silvain, Floyd Steadman OBE, Samantha Hoyer, Dr Increase Eko.

Foreword written by Professor Paul Miller.