Thinking Black CIC

Thinking Black is a Community Interest Company that provides academic enrichment programmes for Black British state school students across the UK. Since 2017, the organisation has worked with over 2,500 young Black British students, 700 school students, more than 300 members of the public and over 100 teachers through lectures, workshops, prizes and mentorship initiatives. During the reporting period, Thinking Black supported over 1,000 students annually through a structured programme pipeline providing academic and creative opportunities from Year 10 through to Year 13 university application preparation. The organisation delivers culturally relevant educational programmes designed to strengthen critical thinking, academic writing, research skills and confidence among Black state-school students. Core programmes delivered during the year included: Thinking Uni – a national university preparation programme supporting over 500 Year 12 and Year 13 students through lectures, workshops and recorded seminars. A smaller cohort received 30 one-to-one tutorials providing personal statement feedback and interview preparation. 94% of participants reported gaining skills needed to make a successful university application, with sessions receiving an average satisfaction score of 9.6/10. ACT Prize – a hybrid academic programme combining in-person and online teaching. The programme received 147 applications and selected 27 students, achieving a 96% retention rate. 96.3% of students reported increased confidence in communicating ideas and writing, and 100% reported that the programme made academia more engaging and accessible. Creative Writing Programme – an online summer programme engaging 50 Year 10 students through lectures, workshops and mentoring. 96% reported increased confidence in communicating ideas, and 100% said they would recommend the programme to others. Thinking Black also expanded its national reach by recruiting participants from across the UK and delivered school talks and assemblies reaching over 300 students, alongside alumni cultural activities and a Celebration Day at Pembroke College, Oxford attended by over 100 students and family members. Through these activities, Thinking Black supports Black students to develop academic confidence, strengthen critical thinking and writing skills. The organisation delivers a progression pipeline from early secondary school engagement to university preparation, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed academically and become informed leaders and contributors within their communities. All activities carried out by the company are undertaken in pursuit of its community interest objective of improving educational access, confidence and opportunity for Black British state school students across the UK and supporting the development of future changemakers.