In her thought provoking talk Nysha shares her experiences of being a black, working class woman in academia, discusses the education landscape and asks 'where's the representation?' Nysha Chantel is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Wolverhampton. Her research centres on the role of traditional storytelling in empowering marginalised communities, particularly Black communities, including African Americans. Nysha explores how storytelling foster’s identity, strengthens community bonds, and nurtures empowerment, while remaining relevant in today's society.Rooted in post-colonial theory, her work examines storytelling as a tool for resisting dominant narratives and amplifying the voices of the marginalised. Drawing from cultural studies, she investigates how storytelling preserves cultural identities and fosters a sense of belonging. Nysha's research aims to showcase the transformative power of storytelling in promoting social and cultural empowerment, emphasising its vital role in the resilience and recognition of underserved communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx