A carefully selected collection of books and resources to support deeper thinking around racial literacy, identity, belonging and inclusive practice.
Recommended Reading
Understanding Race & Racism
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race — Reni Eddo-Lodge
A UK-focused exploration of structural racism, Black British history and white privilege. Eddo-Lodge examines how racism can operate beyond individual prejudice and considers the wider systems and inequalities that shape experiences in Britain.
How to Be an Antiracist — Ibram X. Kendi
Explores the distinction between simply being ‘not racist’ and actively recognising and challenging racism. Kendi encourages readers to examine their own assumptions, choices and the wider policies and structures that can reproduce inequality.
Race, Identity & Britain
Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire — Akala
Combining personal experience with history and social analysis, Akala explores the relationship between race, class and inequality in Britain. The book provides useful context for thinking about education, opportunity and the continuing influence of Britain’s history.
Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging — Afua Hirsch
An exploration of race, identity and what it means to belong in modern Britain. Drawing on personal experience alongside historical and social perspectives, Hirsch examines how ideas about Britishness can shape people’s experiences and sense of identity.
Black and British: A Forgotten History — David Olusoga
A wide-ranging account of the long history of Black people in Britain. Olusoga brings together stories, events and individuals that have often been absent from mainstream historical narratives, making this particularly valuable for educators considering representation within the curriculum.
Education, Children & Pedagogy
How to Raise an Antiracist — Ibram X. Kendi
Focuses specifically on children and the development of ideas about race. Kendi considers how adults can have meaningful conversations with children and create environments that encourage greater awareness, fairness and understanding.
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain — Zaretta Hammond
Explores the relationship between culture, learning, relationships and cognitive development. Hammond offers a framework for thinking about how culturally responsive practice can support engagement, independence and learning in the classroom.
Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom — bell hooks
A thought-provoking exploration of teaching, power, voice and participation. hooks considers how education can create space for dialogue, critical thinking and different experiences, encouraging practitioners to reflect deeply on their own pedagogy.
Voice, Identity & Lived Experience
The Good Immigrant — edited by Nikesh Shukla
A collection of essays exploring race, immigration, identity and belonging in Britain. Written from a range of personal perspectives, the collection provides insight into experiences that are often overlooked in mainstream conversations about British identity.
Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change — Chelsea Kwakye & Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi
Explores the experiences of Black women within education and predominantly white institutions. The authors consider belonging, representation and inequality while reflecting on the barriers that can affect educational and professional experiences.
Leadership & Institutional Change
On Being Included: Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life — Sara Ahmed
Examines what happens when organisations attempt to address racism, equality and diversity. Ahmed explores the gap that can exist between institutional commitments and lived experience, making this particularly relevant for leaders thinking about how meaningful organisational change happens.
Racism at Work: The Danger of Indifference — Binna Kandola
Looks at how racism can manifest within organisations, including through behaviours and practices that may be overlooked or normalised. Kandola considers the responsibilities of leaders and colleagues in recognising racism and creating more inclusive workplace cultures.
A note on recommended reading
These recommendations are offered as a starting point for further learning and reflection rather than an endorsement of every perspective within each text. Readers are encouraged to engage critically, consider different viewpoints and reflect on the relevance of each book to their own context.
More Resources Coming Soon
This resource library will continue to grow, with practical tools, reflective prompts and research-informed materials to support inclusive practice across schools and Early Years settings.