The Open Minds Project
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I am originally from Poland, I moved to the UK in 2007. My mum taught me to read when I was five, and since then my love for books was growing, so much that when I went to university I chose to study literature.
My parents did not tolerate racism and I was raised in a home where racial equality was something obvious, yet soon I became aware that sadly it’s not a reality for everyone, and that myself I still have a lot to learn.
I wholeheartedly support the Open Minds Project to shape the young minds through education about black lives. Especially now that I am a mum myself, and reading with my daughter is part of our daily routine.
Raising children to know, appreciate and celebrate their culture and heritage irrespective of where they live has been a goal for me as a mum. Books have played a key role in helping me to fulfil this goal with my children.
I believe reading provides an incredible opportunity to step into the writers’ world and learn from many years of experience in a few pages.
I’m delighted to be a trustee at TOMP and support the charity to help everyone experience the beauty of the African continent through books.
As a black mother, I found that the books that were available to my children at school and in the council libraries did not represent them, so I took up the matter with the parties concerned, and to cut a long story short, the headteacher and literacy lead at the school was very responsive and bought all the books I suggested, invited me in to read to the children and show them a movie featuring black protagonists.
I also began having conversations with the lady who coordinates events at the local libraries about books and events that would promote an understanding of diversity.
In TOMP I have found a group of like-minded people doing great and vital work. I’ve also published my first book, titled, “Tafara and the Patchwork Blanket” which celebrates diversity of skin tones in the human race in a whimsical yet meaningful way and is being enjoyed all over the world by children of various ages.
I believe that the education of the mind leads to true freedom. I think that when minds are enlightened about critical issues, they become liberated from limitations that hinder the growth of humanity. I support the fact that the Open Minds Project seeks to educate young minds about societal issues, such as love and respect for all humans regardless of their skin colour, race, or ethnicity.
I am a writer, storyteller and content developer. I see both writing and storytelling as a way to preserve history and create a better future. I am passionate about educating others for a better tomorrow.
I grew up in Sussex and lived in Nigeria for 14 years. My vocation is education. I qualified as a librarian in the eighties, taught for most of my working life in both Nigeria and the UK and I’m currently working as a college librarian.
I am passionate about reading and empowering individuals but also have a strong drive towards social justice, especially for future generations. I love walking, tandem cycling, textile crafts and pottering in the garden too.
I believe that all children deserve to enjoy all types of books. Reading draws children into other worlds, improves their vocabulary, encourages creativity, and puts a smile on their faces
I moved to the UK from Nigeria over 15 years ago to pursue a Masters degree in Air Pollution Management. I found out about my passion for storytelling as I read stories to my two children aged 8 and 5 years.
I am on a path to change the narrative. I hope to tell stories of black people in the media that other black people can resonate with. In my own way, I am looking to douse the aforementioned flames. I support the Open Minds Project because it campaigns to educate people on black cultures in ways that are positively accurate.
I am a self-proclaimed cinephile. From an early age, I aspired to be a filmmaker. However, I began to notice the stereotypical portrayals of blacks in films and books and it dawned on me that the entertainment industry was just another system to stoke the flames of prejudice.
My life has revolved around books and reading for as long as I can remember. With much older siblings, I was left to my own wiles a lot, which meant I could ‘devour’ many books in my quest to learn about the world around me.
As an adult, I continue to enjoy reading and especially sharing that interest with my little children. Their literary journey highlighted how lacking local bookstores and libraries were in stocking a wide selection of good quality books that include black characters in a normal, non-stereotyped way.
Responding to this gap led me to others who were interested in working together to address this gap and that was how The Open Minds Project was birthed. As a professional auditor in practice, I enjoy understanding how things work and how to make improvements. When my face is not stuck in a book, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, museums and historic landmarks, cooking and coffee.
I am a mother to three lovely children born and presently being raised in England. I know their reality will always be fundamentally intertwined with the British and Nigerian culture and narratives. I do not want them to have to choose but have the freedom to appreciate both cultures.
My dream is that someday, being from a minority population group will not equate to being treated as the minor in Britain. I know that one of the ways to achieve this dream is through education. It is my major motivation for serving with The Open Minds Project. I love learning, writing and impacting knowledge.
Fun fact about me: I probably would make a great movie critic because of my love for storytelling. However, I couldn’t survive reading a novel unless it was compulsory and for a good cause.
