The Open Minds Project (TOMP)
We are impacting the education system with diverse books and resources
We are top at donating books to schools, academies, and nurseries. Please get in touch if you are a school or interested in our book lists and book boxes.
We want to help the family whose child refused to sit next to another child because they felt her skin colour was dirty.
Our Story
In 2020, shortly after the public death of George Floyd in America. Many of us would attest to how it inspired many including us to seek to end racism. Notwithstanding, Grace Toby, the founder, had noticed a poor representation and one-sided narrative in the books her kids brought home from school. The year 2020 felt like the right moment to take action to improve the education system. Grace Toby called on a few parents to create an organisation that helps educate the world about the lives of Black people.
The Open Minds project’s committed to achieving this by bridging the diversity gap in the narratives and representation of Black books in primary and secondary schools. We believe that if children are educated with a balanced and robust view of the world; biases and ignorance will be curbed immensely.
Our mission is to ensure that racism and discrimination end up in history books instead of being today’s reality and in the future of all children.
Who We Are?
The Open Minds Project (TOMP) is a registered charity working to better represent Black people. For decades, Black people have been misunderstood and under-represented in various parts of society. We are a group of volunteers on a mission to bridge this gap.
Our work is not exclusive to serving Blacks but society at large. We are committed to propelling every teacher, parent, and child to be open-minded, relate better, and positively impact society without bias and ignorance
- We provide Black Authored books and book recommendations to primary and secondary schools
- We organise educative and interactive book clubs for teachers, parents and children
- We deliver assemblies at primary and secondary schools
- We conduct book assessments and audits for schools to improve their curriculum resources
- We host entertaining and educative events in our local communities that promote our mission and so much more
Our Values
Respect
Self and mutual respect are essential for human interaction. We believe that racial awareness minimizes misunderstandings and friction.
Love
Love is a great force that has the ability to move hearts and even the earth’s core. We believe that love doesn’t just make the world go round but it also sustains humanity.
Knowledge
Knowledge is power. At TOMP, we want to see everyone empowered through a stronger identity so they can be better global citizens.
Open-mindedness
It takes an open mind to be able to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Integrity
Our drive for justice and fairness drives us to stand up against racism in all its forms
Our Team
Grace Toby
Trustee and Founder
My life has revolved around books and reading for as long as I can remember. With much older siblings, …Learn more…
J’rimaya Agbota Okojie
Trustee
I am on a path to change the narrative. I hope to tell stories of black people in the media that other …Learn more…
Adaeze Obasuyi
Trustee
I am a mother to three lovely children born and presently being raised in England. I know their reality will always …Learn more…
Opeyemi Alabi-Hundeyin
Trustee
Agnieszka O’Sullivan
Trustee
Stella Hine
Volunteer
I grew up in Sussex and lived in Nigeria for 14 years. My vocation is education. I qualified as a librarian in the eighties …Learn more…
Jennifer Chioma Amadi
Volunteer
I believe that the education of the mind leads to true freedom. I think that when minds …Learn more…
Fadzisai Gukuta
Volunteer
As a black mother, I found that the books that were available to my children at school and in the council libraries …Learn more…
