I Heard What You Said

Essential reading … perhaps most of all for those Black children who may be currently going through school not realising why they are made to feel small, out of step and unworthy. For them in particular, it could be a ray of hope. * The Guardian *I Heard What You Said makes a powerful case: until we have rid our educational system of its dominant whiteness we cannot hope to give all our children the educational experience they need and deserve. – Rt Hon Lady HaleRevealing and beautifully written. – David HarewoodWritten with passion, fury, knowledge and, in spite of the painful subject, wit. Do you want to break down entrenched structural racism in schools? Then read this. – Patrice Lawrence MBE, prize-winning author of OrangeboySharp and witty with moments of startling candour. * The i *Deeply compelling, intellectually rigorous and essential … The more people read this book, the better our education system will be understood. – Nels Abbey, author of Think Like a White ManA riveting account … Rich with entertaining anecdotes. * The Bookseller *Personal and political, profound and playful, Boakye’s sharp analysis of the classroom and the staffroom is essential reading. – Darren Chetty, co-author of How to DisagreeThe book I’ve been waiting for and the book every teacher should read. Brave, brutally honest, funny and necessary. – Ben Lindsay, author of We Need To Talk About RaceI couldn’t put it down … a must read. – Laura Henry-Allain MBEAn incredibly powerful, gripping book … It’s simultaneously energising, uplifting and optimistic and eye-opening and challenging. – Tom Sherrington (@teacherhead)I found myself being educated, delighted, saddened, informed, surprised, shocked, touched and enlightened in turn … A must-read book. – Sue Cowley, author, presenter, teacherA signature blend of endearing wit and engaging prose. – K. DeMi RyansTimely and thought provoking. – Leninna Ofori (@healingoverhandbags)An impassioned, articulate, and irresistible call to arms. * SchoolsWeek *

Jeffrey Boakye is an author, broadcaster, educator and journalist with a particular interest in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture. Originally from Brixton in London, Jeffrey has taught secondary English for fifteen years. He is the author of several books: Hold Tight: Black Masculinity, Millennials, and the Meaning of Grime; Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored; What is Masculinity? Why Does it Matter? And Other Big Questions; Musical Truth: A Musical Journey through Modern Black Britain; and I Heard What You Said. He is also the co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Add to Playlist. He now lives in Yorkshire with his wife and two sons.