Dr Julie Blake is an early career researcher who achieved a Doctorate in Education from the University of Birmingham in 2022. Following a career as a secondary school teacher, Julie now works in Research Innovation and Impact at the University of Surrey, UK. Her research led to a UKRI ESRC (Impact Acceleration Account) postdoctoral fellowship, where she piloted her programme, Leading Black Girls to Lead, with an Academy Trust. Julie’s aim is to create inclusive school environments where Black Caribbean girls can excel and succeed without enduring mental and physical exhaustion, together with equipping Black Caribbean girls with leadership skills. Julie is keen to partner with UK and international scholars; to create awareness and, to initiate a call to action for UK educators and policymakers to close the attainment gap and improve the lived experiences for Black Caribbean girls in secondary schools in England.