Reminiscing On 2022 Blessings

The year I got out of my own way and embraced so much of life.?

People, places, and paths shape you in ways you can’t even imagine and I thought to share the blessings that came from each month.?

January?

Helen Lardner and Gareth John , you kick started my year by understanding my body of work before I had the words to fully articulate it all. From your personal story to your professional journey, I continue to be inspired by you both every time. Thank you for the welcome, for making me feel so inspired and seen in your creative world.

Team Kando by Design always!

February?

I connected with The King's Trust and from the first encounter with their entrepreneurship program, I was showered with the tools, support, and encouragement to continue to be an agent of change from London. I remain moved by your teams kindness and the long-term vision we share for the UK’s next generation of leaders. This was the month my amazing friend Zubair Junjunia interviewed me for ZNotes podcast #thetomatotimer and we discussed the power of having an unshakable belief.

March

Business Fights Poverty! I appreciated our collaboration on IWD and your passion for eliminating injustices. Thank you Zahid Torres-Rahman OBE Yvette Torres-Rahman Sera Mathews Katie Hyson Alice Allan Anna Olivia Spenner Hernández and every single member of the team. I love seeing you bring leaders together to address our global challenges collectively. If you’re not already linked in, please check them out and meet likeminded change-makers.?

April?

I met Jamila Brown , Chris Clark , Shehan De-Silva and Chris Glass , the first time in my life I saw a full on representation in a senior leadership team and I literally could not contain what that felt like. It gave me a whole new level of appreciation for Nick Jones and how he has navigated Soho House & Co from the beginning.Thank you Fiona Barron for being a much appreciated connector and for taking the time to do so.?

This month I came back to my core, reconnected with creativity more and reminded myself that we are the writers and producers of tomorrow.

May

As I got my mojo back, I was invited to co-facilitate an incredible workshop for 联合国儿童基金会 x United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joint program to End Child Marriage. We provided a collaborative space for program leaders to knowledge share and get support with the communities they were serving in developing countries. Thank you Alana Kolundzija for inspiring so many intersectional women to lead and deliver. I am so proud of Collective Impact and I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for us.?

June

Throughout 2022, I explored the possibilities of the third sector and how I can continue to bridge the gap between private and public sectors. I want to thank East London Business Alliance and my education and mentoring works team, still buzzing that you are based in the heart of Tower Hamlets. I had the privilege to go back into schools to activate our youth and provide them with the tools and access needed to learn from corporate leaders who are actively committed to a society with equal opportunities. I want to thank Moodys, HSBC and Fitch, your work culture, and people have shown me what we can achieve in the corporate world to shift the lived experiences of systemically marginalised communities.

July?

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Qatar Foundation have been a huge part of my twenties and becoming. This year I had the opportunity to connect with the Education Above All Foundation leaders who are shaping life-changing programs for millions of young people from across the globe. Thank you for the representation, leadership and understanding of local needs. from poetry to advocacy, I loved the opportunities I had to connect our shared vision to the Sustainable Development Goals at UNESCO 's Transforming Education Summit.?

Project Everyone , World's Largest Lesson, Alison Bellwood and Jack Davies excited to have discovered your mission, well overdue a catch up and thinking maybe a whole London reunion with Bethel Abera too. I felt energised to share a stage with you and advocate for education alongside you.

To keep a bit of a balance, I'll throw in a personal journey that has been just as purposeful, joyful and inspiring.

Summer highlights included celebrating my brothers graduation. He studied engineering whilst navigating being a husband and a 23 year old father to his now 3 year old daughter. Your discipline is so strong and although I wonder how you do it all, I thank the lord for you every single day. I love learning from you, annoying you and staying proud of you. Thank you for being you bro!

September?

In September 2016, I set an intention with God to live an intentional life and to build an internal home where I can be at peace from the chaos and confusion of the world. Fast-forward to September 2022, I was living aligned, alive and in love with life.

It still feels surreal that Amina J Mohamed said my name live at the United Nations and whilst addressing head of states, she affirmed the urgency to continue building sustainable movements that move people.?

She is one of my role models in international development and when she unexpectedly endorsed my work, it felt like a wake up call. Every day at the United Nations General Assembly , I met and conversed with world leaders I could relate to especially women who shared the same challenges we are facing at all levels of society.?

It doesn't matter how high up the ladder you go, it isn’t easy to shake off the assaults of toxic systems that weren’t designed to protect the minority.?

But the message was clear, we can’t stop, we won’t stop.

October?

For Black History Month, Voicing Voices partnered with That Day Mark Briant Rob Smith and we shared passion for inclusive spaces with RMP Enterprise , Kin + Carta Cardlytics . Yet again, I felt so grateful to be surrounded by leaders who show up authentically for people and purpose. If we are not addressing our disparities systemically, we will just be stuck with the same cycles our parents and grandparents lived through.?Our businesses can be a force for good ending injustices, just as importantly, intentionally designed spaces can accelerate the potential of all stakeholders.

November?

2020 was the first year I campaigned for the global #16daysofactivism campaign to end violence against women and girls and every November since I continue to raise awareness through Voicing Voices, workplaces and everyone in my network including family and friends. This is half the population we are talking about where 1 in 3 women in our lives experiences some form of gender-based violence. We will end the normalisation of violence and discrimination within 2-3 generations. I want to thank our global believers who supported this years campaign Aimann Naveed Hendriyadi Bahtiar Daeng Sila Yasmein Abdelghany Eunice Lynda Nakaibale Eliane R. El Haber and the wonderful Dr. Zarqa Parvez , a leading educator transforming lives through empowerment and representation.

We will continue to advocate for the freedom of our sisters in all ways, always.?

December?

December is always the most transformational month of the year for me. I graduated from my Hatch Enterprise incubator program, where I met so many phenomenal social entrepreneurs reshaping business. All learning was led by passionate facilitators who really introduced soul into how we work and do business with each other. I just want to say Dirk Bischof IT IS EVERYTHING ??

If you don’t know about Hatch Enterprise UK , it is the most wholesome platform for social entrepreneurs. You’ll be nurtured, challenged and elevated. Thank you Nathalia Mattos for the recommendation, 2021 goals became 2022 realities.?

This month I also get creative, thanks to Big Change and Freddie Morton-Hooper for inviting me to attend and celebrate your 10th anniversary with you. It was heartwarming to meet you all and I can’t wait to witness the next 10 years and the milestones ahead as you provide young people with opportunities to excel.?When we put forward bold ideas to transform learning, we become catalyst for long term positive change.

There can be lows in this field, in this time and in places and stages of life but the many beautiful souls we encounter along the way, can transform and align us in ways we never thought possible.?

Have a wonderful year ahead x?