Retaining Black Students

University of Westminster

Join us for an empowering discussion on supporting and uplifting Black students in education.

<h2>Retaining Black Students</h2> As part of the Black History Year programme we are pleased to welcome Marie Gentles to speak about 'Retaining Black Students'Retaining Black Students will explore ways to support and empower Black students in education. This event aims to create a safe space for open dialogue and collaboration.Join us as we discuss strategies and initiatives aimed at retaining Black students in educational institutions.Together, we will explore ways to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black students, ensuring their success and well-being throughout their academic journey.This event is open to all who are passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Let's work together to make a positive impact! This event is online and open to all. The online link will be sent the week before the event takes place.

Marie Gentles OBEMarie grew up in East London in a large extended family with a number of fostered and adopted children. She has two children and qualified as a teacher over 20 years ago. Marie started her career in mainstream education then went on to work in a Pupil Referral Unit and Social, Emotional and Mental Health Provision, where she became the Headteacher. Marie guides parents and professionals to understand children’s behaviour as communication, and her innovative approaches have had immense success in modifying children’s behaviour and significantly reducing the rate of permanent exclusions in schools. In 2020 Marie was awarded an OBE for her services to education.Marie’s work has been documented on TV by the BBC in two, 2 part documentaries in which Marie demonstrates her methods to support young people with emotional and behavioural needs. Series 2, titled ‘Helping our Teens’ is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. In 2023 Marie wrote a book titled, Gentles Guidance: How to Understand, Inspire and Empower Your Kids. Marie’s ambition is to support as many people as possible to understand the language of behaviour, so that all children can feel seen, heard, safe and connected.

Dr Krystal Douglas-Dodd (she/her) Krystal is a Black British Caribbean woman, evaluator and award-winning researcher, based in the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation at the University of Westminster. She has over a decade of experience working across education, charities, and think tanks to drive social impact. She’s passionate about leading creative research and evaluation that challenges inequalities and amplifies underrepresented voices. Whether crunching data, sparking ideas, or turning complex concepts into practical change, her work is all about making education and its spaces, more engaging, inclusive, and impactful.

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Retaining Black Students