PFPAD 2026 Special Edition: Meet Anya James

Anya James is a powerhouse in the world of educational reform and institutional change. Based within Hackney Education—the driving force behind the groundbreaking Black British History curriculum now used in schools from Singapore to Spain—Anya is at the forefront of redefining how Black identity is taught, perceived, and protected. Her work is a masterclass in how local governments can become a catalyst for global anti-racist movements. In this episode of Blackfluencers, we bridge the gap between the classroom and the community. Anya opens up about the "groundbreaking" work at Hackney and the grit it took to institutionalize Black British history. We pivot into the urgent, often overlooked intersections of our time: the adultification of Black and Brown children in the UK, and how climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a health and housing crisis for Black communities. This conversation also gets deeply personal and cultural. Anya discusses her work with the Brown Skin Girls Network, the necessity of Black men supporting Black women, and her view of Black women as the "black bone"—the unbreakable foundation—of society. From the halls of local government to the floor of the PFPAD, Anya highlights the systemic barriers, including the financial gap, that we must close to ensure our youth can claim their rightful place in global advocacy. About Anya James Anya James is a Senior Education Advisor and Systems Director for 14-19 Education with a career built on restructuring curriculum and pedagogy to ensure inclusion for all learners. Beyond her work in London local authorities, she is the co-founder of the Brown Skin Girls Network, an organization designed to elevate Black women into leadership and provide blueprints for success. A TEDx speaker and UN advocate, Anya's work is rooted in transforming trauma into systemic change. Brown Skin Girls Network ‪@brownskingirlsnetwork‬ #PFPAD #AnyaJames #HackneyEducation #BlackBritishHistory #AntiRacism #Adultification #ClimateJustice #BlackWomenMagic #UKEducation #SystemicChange #BrownSkinGirlsNetwork #YouthIdentity