Before beginning the Teach Africa fellowship, I knew very little about the Kingdom of Benin or many of the civilizations that existed across Africa before the transatlantic slave trade. However, I had already become curious about this period of African history and started reading independently to expand my understanding. When the opportunity to participate in this fellowship presented itself, I saw it as a chance to deepen that knowledge.

What struck me about City States and Civilisations was the evidence of established political systems, artistic achievements, religious traditions, and social structures. Learning about the Kingdom of Benin and other African societies reinforces how incomplete our understanding of Africa can be when its history is primarily introduced through slavery and colonialism.

As an educator, I reflect on how much of this history was missing from my own education. It makes me question the narratives we pass along to children, sometimes without realizing how limited they are.

This experience has also changed how I approach developing my own curriculum. When I introduce my kindergarten students to Queen Idia, I want them to understand that she was part of a society with its own history, leadership, traditions, and accomplishments. I don't want Africa to exist in their minds simply as a place associated with wildlife, poverty, or historical suffering.

For me, the importance of studying this history goes beyond learning new facts. It is about developing a more complete understanding of Africa and recognizing the agency of African people throughout history. It also reminds me that, as teachers, we must remain learners ourselves. We cannot teach perspectives we have never taken the time to explore.