Black History Month: How Essex shaped my career

Johnoi Josephs (BA Politics, 2018) is an Assistant Headteacher and the co-founder of Black Men Teach, a network explicitly promoting and amplifying the voices of Black men and boys in education.

My experience at Essex as a Black man was transformative and affirming. 

It was not originally my first choice, and coming from the vibrant and diverse community of South London, I carried questions about how I would be seen and understood. Yet Essex became a place where I not only found my voice but also discovered communities that reflected and celebrated who I was. Serving as Vice President of the African Caribbean Society remains one of the most defining chapters of my time there. It was a space where leadership, identity and belonging came together.

Years later, as an Assistant Headteacher, that same sense of identity continues to shape how I lead and live. Picture an Assistant Headteacher with locs that tell a story of heritage, resilience and pride. My students see me exactly as I am, and that authenticity gives them permission to stand tall in who they are too.

In a profession where conformity can often overshadow individuality, I choose to stand firm in my truth. That conviction fuels my work as Co-founder of Black Men Teach (BMT CIC) — an organisation committed to building spaces where Black men and boys not only survive in education but truly thrive. Power and pride are not abstract ideas for me. I fundamentally believe that they are daily acts of choosing to stand tall, show up, and break ground for those coming next.

For me, everything from Essex University until now has been purposed at creating a path and leaving a trail.