MS JOY MBAKWE

About JOY

Joy Mbakwe – Educator, Speaker, Writer

Joy Mbakwe is an educator, speaker, writer and mother of two whose work centers on using challenge as a pathway to meaningful change.

She began her career as a Teaching Assistant after completing a Psychology degree at the University of Manchester. It didn’t take long for Joy to discover that her passion for teaching, learning and people could be a catalyst for transformation in any environment.

After completing her PGCE in English and Drama at UCL’s Institute of Education, Joy pursued her mission with clarity: to break down barriers and create more inclusive spaces for learning, teaching and development. Her leadership journey saw her rise rapidly, becoming Head of English and, within five years of qualifying, Assistant Headteacher for Community and Culture. Along the way, she reshaped curricula to better reflect pupils’ identities, collaborated with Penguin on educational resources, featured on BBC’s Black and British documentary and Radio 4’s Schools Apart.

In 2024, Joy began sharing her insights online, building a community of thousands across Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Her writing has appeared in Metro, Schools Weekly, SecEd, and Pearson and she has been invited to speak, consult and deliver workshops for organisations seeking expertise in education, leadership, inclusion and social impact.

In 2025, Joy stepped beyond the classroom, bringing her experience and expertise to schools, corporate organisations, nonprofits and thought-leaders, applying honesty, insight and challenge to every space where people are ready to grow, innovate and create lasting change.

Mission Statement

Joy’s mission is to challenge individuals, organisations, and systems to confront uncomfortable truths, expose inequities, and take bold action. Through honest dialogue, critical insight, and storytelling, she helps people move beyond tokenism toward meaningful growth, curiosity and lasting change.