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The power of everyday changemakers: Leeds Beckett academic brings Black history to life for pupils
The daughter of an influential Leeds educator has encouraged 1,400 school pupils to recognise their own potential to shape history, as part of a special Black History Month assembly.
Heather Paul, Associate Director of Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality (CRED) in the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett, visited The Grammar School at Leeds to share the life and legacy of her mother, Gertrude Paul, who is recognised as one of West Yorkshire's Inspirational Women in History.
Drawing on her mother's work to challenge inequalities in education, housing and employment, Heather highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of Black community leaders and volunteers who have helped shape Leeds and communities across the UK.
Heather’s message to students was that making history isn't always about extraordinary achievements or public recognition, it's also about the everyday actions that make a lasting difference to people's lives:
"UK history is not only made in moments of visibility but also through consistent acts of care, strategic leadership, and responsibility.
"There are hundreds of volunteers in communities who gave and continue to give up their time without expectation of reward."
Heather reflected on growing up in a family where volunteering and community action were part of everyday life, with her mother and grandparents encouraging her from an early age to get involved in projects that brought people and generations together.
She explained how this commitment to collective action helped create opportunities for future generations, with grassroots leaders working to remove barriers and bring about lasting change in their communities.
During the assembly, students also had the opportunity to interview Heather about her mother's approach to educational leadership and her own work at the university.
Asked what she enjoyed most about her role, Heather spoke about her commitment to advancing social justice and antiracist practices, alongside her research into 'Black history and Black Feminist Thought’.
She also highlighted the important but frequently unrecognised contributions of Black women educators, who have combined educational leadership with community advocacy, care and institution-building, often while facing racial and gender inequalities.
For Heather, sharing her mother's story was also an opportunity to encourage the next generation to see themselves as community leaders.
She said: "From an early age you too can volunteer as a community leader or organiser, help to bring people together to do things that make a difference to other people's lives," she told students.
Joanna Haynes Boyd, Head of PSHE and EDI Lead at The Grammar School at Leeds, said the assembly had offered students a meaningful connection to the city's Black history.
"We were delighted to welcome Heather Paul to GSAL for Black History Month. Her reflections on her mother Gertrude Paul's life and legacy offered our students a powerful connection to Leeds' Black history and the people who have helped shape our community.
"Her message that leadership can begin with everyday acts of care and volunteering is one we hope students will take into their own lives, recognising their ability to make a difference at any age."
The visit was one of a series of talks Heather has delivered across the area to mark Black History Month, celebrating the contributions of Black grassroots leaders and encouraging young people to recognise the difference they can make in their own communities.
Find out more here
Drawing on her mother's work to challenge inequalities in education, housing and employment, Heather highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of Black community leaders and volunteers who have helped shape Leeds and communities across the UK.
Heather’s message to students was that making history isn't always about extraordinary achievements or public recognition, it's also about the everyday actions that make a lasting difference to people's lives:
"UK history is not only made in moments of visibility but also through consistent acts of care, strategic leadership, and responsibility.
"There are hundreds of volunteers in communities who gave and continue to give up their time without expectation of reward."
Heather reflected on growing up in a family where volunteering and community action were part of everyday life, with her mother and grandparents encouraging her from an early age to get involved in projects that brought people and generations together.
She explained how this commitment to collective action helped create opportunities for future generations, with grassroots leaders working to remove barriers and bring about lasting change in their communities.
During the assembly, students also had the opportunity to interview Heather about her mother's approach to educational leadership and her own work at the university.
Asked what she enjoyed most about her role, Heather spoke about her commitment to advancing social justice and antiracist practices, alongside her research into 'Black history and Black Feminist Thought’.
She also highlighted the important but frequently unrecognised contributions of Black women educators, who have combined educational leadership with community advocacy, care and institution-building, often while facing racial and gender inequalities.
For Heather, sharing her mother's story was also an opportunity to encourage the next generation to see themselves as community leaders.
She said: "From an early age you too can volunteer as a community leader or organiser, help to bring people together to do things that make a difference to other people's lives," she told students.
Joanna Haynes Boyd, Head of PSHE and EDI Lead at The Grammar School at Leeds, said the assembly had offered students a meaningful connection to the city's Black history.
"We were delighted to welcome Heather Paul to GSAL for Black History Month. Her reflections on her mother Gertrude Paul's life and legacy offered our students a powerful connection to Leeds' Black history and the people who have helped shape our community.
"Her message that leadership can begin with everyday acts of care and volunteering is one we hope students will take into their own lives, recognising their ability to make a difference at any age."
The visit was one of a series of talks Heather has delivered across the area to mark Black History Month, celebrating the contributions of Black grassroots leaders and encouraging young people to recognise the difference they can make in their own communities.
Find out more here
