A Time for Reflection and Celebration by Viv Grant
Black History Month is a time for reflection, recognition, and celebration. For me, it’s deeply personal.
At just 31, while pregnant with my first child, I became one of the UK’s youngest Headteachers; a Black woman leading a school during a time when very few people in leadership looked like me. It wasn’t easy. The challenges were real: racism, isolation, and the pressure to prove my worth again and again.
But those early experiences shaped my mission: to help others lead with authenticity, resilience, and heart.
Building Integrity Coaching
Today, I run Integrity Coaching, London’s longest-established coaching company for school leaders. Over the years, we’ve supported thousands of leaders, including over 300 through our Race Equity and Anti-Racist Leadership Programme, created in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.
This work matters deeply, not just because of my lived experience as a child of the Windrush Generation, but because every child deserves to see themselves reflected in leadership.
History Is Always Present
James Baldwin once wrote, “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.”
These words remind us that the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of those who came before are not distant memories but living legacies. History is always present, and in the timeswe are living in, it is important for us to remember this, so that we ensure we are good ancestors for our children.
Every decision we make as leaders, parents, and citizens shapes the future. Black History Month invites us to honour those who paved the way and to commit ourselves to opening doors for those who follow.
Research, Resilience, and Soul
Now, through my PhD research on Myth, Metaphor and the Challenge of Whiteness in School Leadership, I continue to seek to challenge systems and mindsets that hold people back.
And as someone who’s faced cancer, I’ve learned the importance of leading not just with strategy, but with soul. Leadership rooted in heart, compassion, and truth is what transforms schools and lives.
A Commitment to the Future
This Black History Month, I honour all those who broke barriers and made my journey possible. I recommit to ensuring that the next generation sees themselves represented, valued, and empowered.
Because when we lead from a place of truth and courage, we don’t just change schools we change lives.
What Legacy Will You Leave?
As Baldwin reminds us, history is alive in us. The question we must each ask is: What kind of history are we creating for those who come after us?
• What kind of ancestor do you want to be?
• What doors can you open for others that were once closed to you?
• How can you use your influence, wherever you are, to ensure that every child feels seen, heard, and valued?
The answers to these questions will shape not only the future of our schools but the soul of our society.
To find out more about the race work we do at Integrity Coaching, please visit:
Race Work – Integrity Coaching or email Hannah@integritycoaching.co.uk
