Based in London, Ellisha Soanes is a pioneering Black history educator and Black history speaker, known for being the first UK FE lecturer to teach Black history all year. She empowers institutions to embed inclusive education, decolonise the curriculum, and celebrate Black British heritage beyond a single month—transforming how history is taught nationwide, but also global. Growing up in Suffolk as a mixed-heritage Black woman, Ellisha’s early experiences shaped her passion for identity, belonging, and racial equity values that now sit at the heart of her work. As the founder of SHINE by ES, Ellisha helps organisations across London and the UK to lead with purpose, embed inclusive practices, and drive sustainable culture change.
Her Mission
At SHINE by ES, we believe that inclusion is more than policy it’s practice. Our mission is to support organisations to move beyond box-ticking, embedding genuine Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into the DNA of their culture. Whether you’re a school, business, charity or public sector body, we bring deep expertise and lived experience to help you create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. As a trusted diversity consultant in London, Ellisha works closely with leadership teams to co-create inclusive strategies, build confident EDI leads, and inspire long-lasting change.