mrsulaimankhan

[mrsulaimankhan]

Wow. 

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Educated, entertained, enlightened. My mind is blown, and I’m still processing all the incredible learnings. 

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About Tuesday night: As I grow through discomfort IN PUBLIC so WE can progress together, my dear friend Lydia Amoah and I attended the THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF A VISIBLE #AFRICAN #HERITAGE lecture with the #BlackHistoryMan himself MR #RobinWalker via A Tribe Called Progress! It was an enriching, educating, transformational experience for me. ⚡️ As well as growing through discomfort, I learnt new things about #Africa, met new friends, and destabilised my accepted narratives of #AfricanHeritage. It was important for me to attend too because I need to constantly unlearn and relearn my assumptions of people to better support them (and—as a disabled, active intersectional feminist-in-progress, creative, entrepreneur, South Asian man—that I always fight against my own privileges), and develop myself that I don’t accept the South Asian community’s (and my ancestors’ past beliefs) of hostile, wrong, irrelevant anti-blackness that passes generations. I will not accept this, and I will change for the better. It is also vital for all of us to control our narratives or others will own us. ⚡️ I am bigger than my body (and the world) gives me credit for. I can only be so if I continue adding “richness” into my life by meeting new people, going to extraordinary events, and have an insatiable appetite to always learn and grow without limitations. ⚡️ To learn more from Robin (and his 26+ years of knowledge), you can attend his Black Studies in The City course that starts on 26 March, and you can book your place here: https://www.atcp.co/ I’ve booked my place as well! ⚡️ Thank you, Mr Walker, for an incredible, insightful evening that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’ll never forget. See you again soon! ⚡️ Big shoutout to my ew friend new friend Michael Lutterodt Quarcoo Amaning for astonishingly creating and hosting an awesome event. You are an extraordinary human! Medaase.  ⚡️ Also, as yesterday was is the #GhanaIndependenceDay (#GhanaAt62—#HappyGhanaIndependence!) and since I’m visiting #Ghana for the first time later this year, for the event, I wore my new #Kente scarf. 🇬🇭 ⚡️ An amazing event shared with amazing people.  ⚡️ “Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb (#Ghana). ⚡️ ⚡️ #community #humanity #BlackHistory #LearnMore #GrowMore #Growth #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless 

[mrsulaimankhan]

Yesterday was #RareDiseaseDay. Having a #raredisease (Muscular Dystrophy), yesterday I shared a thread I posted on Twitter last week; obviously, I’ve amended and elaborated this post, so it fits on this format. [ ORIGINAL TWITTER THREAD HERE: https://twitter.com/Kinectricity/status/1098741273467518976… ] 🚀 This is the hardest thing I have ever written, but I decided to speak my truth. Feel my sunshine, love, wit, style, and melanin magic. 🚀 (Channelling my inner Nyle DiMarco.) 🚀 “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” — Audre Lorde 🚀 As a disabled, feminist-in-progress, creative, socially conscious entrepreneur, South Asian man, I never felt like I fit in anywhere and I still don't. 🚀 I struggle daily with internalised ableism, isolation, mental health issues, a body that's dying faster than my mind (#MuscularDystrophy), how to be a good feminist-in-progress (thanks, Jameela Jamil), imposter syndrome if I can succeed as a socially conscious entrepreneur ThisAbility Limited (and if I can make it into my legacy as I wish). And I struggle daily with if I'll ever find love or be loved, how to fit into masculinity (& my body image), not being able to physically just go nor do whenever, feeling lost, dealing with forced intimacy (https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/…/forced-intimacy-an…/), not feeling of any community and more. 🚀 The pain is like no other I've ever known. I have been strong for so long, so I'm opening up and speaking my truth authentically so others can belong. 🚀 But I'm in awe of myself, how far I've come, and WHAT I'm achieving. Living my life on my terms and enjoying the #adventure. Thriving, not barely surviving. 🚀 I'm proud of myself for growth via discomfort, and daringly, pushing forward positively, quietly regardless of how much I'm suffering. 🚀 I'll keep trying my best every day to be a better human. Because of you. For you. 🚀 ONE BREATH AT A TIME: NORMALITY IS A CROWD-SOURCED FANTASY. 🚀 I'm eternally grateful for the life I have and for you (and for your ongoing love and support) too. 🚀 So, taking @theslumflower's lead, I'll choose myself, ALWAYS: I am enough because I said so and that is not up for debate. 🚀 And I'll just "be fierce" as @NyleDiMarco says. 🚀 Watch this space. 🚀 Much love, Sulaiman x 🚀 #LiveSimply #ThisAbility #disability #creativity #equity#DisabledLivesMatter #WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople#BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless#FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #AdventureIsCalling#IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled#CareAboutRare 🚀 Image description for my visually impaired friends: Navy blue baseball cap from Patagonia with a stitched logo of a white Mountain and white text underneath with the words “LIVE SIMPLY”

[mrsulaimankhan]

“There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.” ― Idowu Koyenikan, Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability

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Two days ago (9 February), I attended my first #GUBAEnterprise event for @GUBACareers' #TDT19 at Clyde & Co, organised by Dentaa Amoateng MBE (I’m sad we didn’t get to meet properly nor chat, but next time), which was an event with a focus on career opportunities in Ghana. 😍 Wow. Lots of laughter, support, love, and invaluable insight was shared. I’m honoured and humbled to have attended the event and be amongst such wonderful, highly esteemed speakers (and guests).

🇬🇭

I love to grow through discomfort. I live by doing and pushing my boundaries daily, so that is one reason I went to the event. It was a fantastic day, and some personal highlights were meeting lots of new friends, learning a great deal about Ghana and feeling pure joy connecting to everyone.

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I ❤️ every second!

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I was keen to learn and talk about Ghana too, as I am going there later this year with aims to help further improve the creative landscape and the lives of disabled people in the country, with my longtime friend and carer (who is originally from the country). And my consultancy ThisAblity Limited even features an Adinkra symbol as part of our branding. I have wanted to visit Ghana for so long, and I hope this year I can do it. As someone with a complex, physical disability, YES, I know it’ll be the toughest thing I’ve ever done physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, logistically, and financially. However, I like challenges, and I am determined to visit in 2019.

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Medaase, medaase, medaase @Dentaa_show, #GUBACareers' team and the Ghanaian UK community for an awesome day, for all the love, and for welcoming me with openness!

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A huge thank you to our hosts: Peter Stewart and Michael Amaning; all the compelling and inspiring speakers: Jake Obeng-Bediako, Leroy K Wadie, Cynthia Quarcoo, Julian Opuni AIFS, Ruth Amoah, Thomas A Baafi, David Asare Asiamah; plus the brilliant GUBA Careers’ volunteers who made it all happen.

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See you all again soon, and let’s create greatness together to make a better future for everyone! 🙏🏾

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“Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb.

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#YearOfTheReturn #TheDiasporaTransition #TDT2019 #Ghana #UK #USA #GUBA #creativity #represent #RepresentationMatters #BAME #community #humanity #people #growth #future #positive #disability #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #adventure AdventureIsCalling #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled #MuscularDystrophy

[mrsulaimankhan]

#HappyBirthday to the wonderful Cindy Gallop! 🎉 Hope you’re having an incredible day and that you have a brilliant year. ⭐️ Even though we have only known each other for a few years, I feel like I’ve known her forever. Not only is she one of the greatest active champions of diversity in all its forms, but she is also a friend. ⭐️ Let’s all wish her an awesome day too! ⭐️ Here’s a photo of us from last August of that magical evening when Cindy came for dinner, and when we shared good food with good conversations. ⭐️ Keep blowing sh*t up, Cindy! 🔥 ⭐️ Chat soon. 🙌🏽 ⭐️ [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Sulaiman (wearing a white dress shirt) smiling sitting in his wheelchair next to Cindy (wearing a black dress) who is also smiling happily.]

[mrsulaimankhan]

Last Thursday (17 January), I had an AMAZING time as a “book” @HumanLibraryUK event @nova_newopps as my first ever #HumanLibrary experience!

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The title of my “book” was ‘Disabled, entrepreneur, feminist’ and lots of wonderful strangers were “reading” me. As I actively grow through discomfort, I could miss this experience. It was pure magic with me sharing my story as a disabled, feminist, creative, social entrepreneur, South Asian man. But I wish I brought my tiara for the sash they provided that reads “I’M A BOOK!” 😜

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In today's negative political, social, and economic environment when no one knows how to disagree with someone with yelling at each other, so it was great to participate in the Human Library and connect on a human level one-to-one with people. Where our eyes are often blinded our prejudice, it is refreshing to see people authentically as they are and understand their narrative in their perspective through this experience.

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An incredible event where we shared an incredible experience with incredible humans! Can’t wait to join again.

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Thanks to @aimeesunshine for the invite too. [And it was fab to finally meet @shanidhanda (Founder, Asian Disability Network) IRL as well. I’ll be in touch.]

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Go experience it yourself, go spread some love.

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Maya Angelou best said: “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

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#HumanLibraryUK #NovaHumanLibrary #UnjudgeSomeone #narrative #stories #storytelling #storyteller

[mrsulaimankhan]

As one of my sheros, @cindygallop, best said: “Shared Values + Shared Action = Shared Profit (that’s financial profit and social profit).”

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This afternoon, ‪my friend @LydiaAmoah_ came to visit. We chatted everything business, #community, family, #ProjectGhana, future collaborations, and positive world domination.‬ Incredible woman, incredible chat. 🖤

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Thanks, Lydia—great to see you today and properly catch up! This year looks bright.

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Let’s go! 🔥

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“Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb (#Ghana).

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#creativity #represent #RepresentationMatters #BAME #creativity #humanity #people #growth #future #positive

[mrsulaimankhan]

As Audre Lorde best said: “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”

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Last night (14 January), I attended the awesome @TweetsByBilal’s awesome Identity Chats No. 3: #SelfIdentity and #Wellness and my second #IdentityChats event at The Curtain. So much richness and love came out of it – so many stories and experiences. Thank you 🙏🏽 and so fab to catch up. 

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With an open-heart and open-mind, I learnt new things, met new people, and grew through discomfort. Great minds think unalike.

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I attended this event because I am always pushing myself out of my comfort zone and challenging my perceptions daily into more tangible action to be the person I want to be; being more strategic, focused, empathetic, and thoughtful in everything I do. Trusting myself, being kind to myself, liking myself. Always pushing my luck, to make it matter. Learning about (supporting and celebrating) people, the human spirit, and their stories from every walk of life and background. I simply believe it is vital to work together to ensure we start making that tangible action, together, and we make business (and the world) a more equitable, inclusive, kinder, supportive and empathetic place for everyone. Every single day.

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We got this! ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 

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"If you feel you don't fit in this world it is because you're here to help create a new one."– Laura Jordan Bambach 

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Also, Bilal, thank you for an incredible time with incredible people last night that was filled with loving, laughing, and living together. 💜💜💜  I LOVED IT: more of this, please! Chat soon and see you again next time.

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 

👊🏻👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿

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[mrsulaimankhan]

Maya Angelou best said: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” ————————————— Hey, @tfarinto90! So, @melex and I had our eighth mentoring session of twelve for #TheExchangeProject on Friday afternoon (10 January). ————————————— [The Exchange Project – The reverse mentoring scheme is purpose-built to champion diversity within the creative industries as part of a wider cross-agency strategy initiated by Grey via the #AdvertisingDiversityTaskforce, which I’m a part of through my business ThisAbility. They brought together 34 pairs of senior leaders with 15+ years experience and BAME talent with 2-4 years experience.] ————————————— I’m learning so much. I’m super chuffed Mel is my mentor too. Another incredible session with an incredible woman! In this session, Mel and I dove deep into my plans for #ProjectGhana and making it a reality. We also chatted a bit about our future collaboration plans as well. ————————————— Together, we are making business (and the world) better and more equitable, inclusive, friendlier, happier, loving, and healthier for everyone. 🙏🏽🙏🏽  Watch this space. ————————————— WE GOT THIS! ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 ————————————— “Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb (#Ghana). ————————————— #ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 👊🏻👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿 ————————————— Cc: @flyambassador @_SunshineCo @VCCP @GreyLondon @leorayman @ThisAbilityLtd ————————————— #WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople #BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #AdventureIsCalling #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #MuscularDystrophy #InclusionRevolution #EquityFirstThenEquality #EqualPayForEqualWork #Advertising #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #ThisAbility #Disability #creativity

[mrsulaimankhan]

I am going into #2019 obeying this quote and defining myself for myself. As ‪#NikkiGiovanni best said:‬ ‪“Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way.” ❤️‬

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So, #HappyNewYear from here in #London! 🎉

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2018, you’ve been a blast, but now I jump into the new year with positivity, sunshine. There are too many incredible experiences and people that made this year one big memorable blur to mention, so I say I’m profoundly grateful, thankful and appreciative of all the blessings and people of 2018. 🙏🏽

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2019, I’m ready for you! I’m not into resolutions, but I will live my full truth more every single day and grow through discomfort via these four aims:

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1) Self-love more — This year, I’ve learned there is nothing more important than me, and other’s happiness (and wellbeing) cannot come before mine anymore. My PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL holistic wellbeing will be the focus for my future, as I cannot go forward if I’m not okay. 🙌🏽

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2) We got this — It is my responsibility to actively support (and be the best ally I can be for) *all marginalised communities, especially *all women and women of colour including trans women and disabled women. As a South Asian, feminist, creative, disabled entrepreneur man, this is my lifetime commitment, and I take it seriously. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻

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3) Work, work, work, work, work, work — I will take my business ThisAbility to the next level and cement its sustainability to be my legacy living beyond myself. Though ThisAbility, I will lead my team to continue to destabilise the accepted narratives of creativity and disability (and be the best active #IntersectionalFeminist I can be) on my terms in 2019 and beyond. I will continue to do this the only way I know how: I will be generous with my love and share my positivity, sunshine and #MelaninMagic. 💯

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AND 4) Less things, more life — I will not live my life with an ROI, rather in 2019 (and beyond) I will live my life with as I define it as a “ROP” or “Return On Purpose: Investing in presence (myself), places, people, and purpose (mine and others). I will meet new people, learn new skills, visit new places around the world, read more, actively support those in need more, love myself wholeheartedly more, cut out the noise in my life, and have adventures lots more. ☀️🌍🚀

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Let’s go, watch me slay! 🔥

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“Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb (#Ghana).

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS.

👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻

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#ThisAbility #equity #humanity #community #Diversity #inclusion #BAME #creativity #disability #RepresentationMatters #MelaninMagic #MelaninPoppin #Slay #underestimated #intersectionality #inclusivity #MuscularDystrophy #WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople #BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #adventure #AdventureIsCalling #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled

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[IMAGE DESCRIPTION—Screenshot of notes with a typed quote that reads: “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”— Audre Lorde]

[mrsulaimankhan]

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.” – Rumi

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‪Last Friday (28 December), I had a fab afternoon with my dear friend Selma Nicholls and her awesome daughter Riley-Ann (a seven-year-old warrior-girl) at their home/work studio in Tottenham! They’re the Co-Founders of Looks Like Me, Child Talent Agency). #‬LooksLikeMe is a #talent and #casting agency that’s raising the profile of underrepresented groups which is providing exceptional talent, models and extraordinary diverse campaigns represented in fashion and advertising #content.

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Later, Selma’s wonderful friends Camille and Anthony came over too, and we continued a wonderful time together. We chatted everything community, relationships, race, politics, family, and life. It was nice to spend a few hours relaxing and to be informal with great people. We shared openness, laughter, learnings, and love.

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So much 🖤 for Selma and Riley-Ann. —————————————

They are both achieving fantastic things together with Looks Like Me. 2019 is going to be their year. I feel it.

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Brand, clients: Consult, hire, and pay Looks Like Me in 2019 to make representation matter tangibly in the lives of children and society.

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Parents (especially of underrepresented children): Engage yourselves and your kids with Looks Like Me be to a part of this monumental, positive change for a better world.

#ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻

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Thank you, Auntie Selma and Riley-Ann for an incredible time. Until next time. Keep slaying! 🔥 You got this. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻

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As @theslumflower best said: “Separate yourself from what the world wants you to be and who you deserve to be.”

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#friendship #equity #humanity #community #Diversity #inclusion #BAME #creativity #advertising #fashion #RepresentationMatters #BlackGirlMagic #MelaninGirlsRunTheWorld #MelaninPoppin #Slay #underestimated #serendipity

[mrsulaimankhan]

“Do not follow the path. Go where there is no path to begin the trail.” — #Ashanti #proverb (#Ghana). 

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About last week: I was named one of @Campaignmag’s 2018 top 10 Trailblazers via my business @ThisAbilityLtd with some incredible, personal sheroes and heroes. 

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As Campaign wrote: “Throughout December, we are revealing the best of our industry in 2018. These are the people making real strides towards a more inclusive future for adland.” Read the full article here: https://tmblr.co/ZmMPDy2eVkzO8

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❤️. Wow. I’m humbled to be featured on this list. 

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This year’s #Trailblazers2018 are:

🔸 1) #TimeTo steering committee

🔸 2) Cindy Gallop — Founder and chief executive, MakeLoveNotPorn and IfWeRanTheWorld

🔸 3) Karen Blackett — Country manager, WPP UK, chairwoman, MediaCom UK and Ireland, and race equality business champion

🔸 4) Ali Hanan — Founder and chief executive, Creative Equals

🔸 5) Gina Hood — Senior account director, Snap London, and president, Bloom

🔸 6) Nishma Robb — Ads marketing director, Google UK

🔸 7) Ete Davies — Managing director, AnalogFolk, and co-founder, Stripes

🔸 8) ME — Founder and chief purpose officer, ThisAbility

🔸 9) Sam Phillips — Chief marketing officer, Omnicom Media Group UK, and chair, OPEN (Omnicom People Engagement Network)

🔸 10) Mareka Stake ��� Senior writer, 72andSunny Amsterdam

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I’m chuffed to be on the list with these extraordinary humans. You all inspire and energise me. You all make me a better ally, a better man, and a better human. Together, we will make business (and the world) a more caring, loving, equitable, inclusive, supportive, kinder, friendlier, happier, and healthier place for everyone. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻

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Also, I cannot accept this award for myself, rather I accept this award on behalf of #disabled people everywhere. I’ve always got you. 

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Huge gratitude and 💜 to all who have been behind me this year too. You know who you are. I wouldn’t be on this list without you.

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Thank you to Claire Beale, Nicola Kemp and the entire Campaign team for the massive honour of being on this list and for recognising us! I’m going to take this and continue to destabilise the accepted narratives of creativity and disability (and be the best active #IntersectionalFeminist I can be) on my terms in 2019 and beyond. I will continue to do this the only way I know how: I will be generous with my love and share my positivity, sunshine and #MelaninMagic.

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Let’s go! 🔥

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 Maya Angelou best said: “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 

👊🏻👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿

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#ThisAbillity #intersectionality #inclusivity #diversity #equity #RightTheRatio #creativity #disability #MuscularDystrophy #CampaignMagazine #TrailblazersForChange #Trailblazer #LifeIsGood #WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople #BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #adventure #AdventureIsCalling #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled

[mrsulaimankhan]

Last night, my younger brother and I went to see the “Sonic Explorers” @nativedancer_ X Weather Report @thejazzcafe. It was amazing, Native Dancer (as always) were amazing!

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Native Dancer did 1 set of playing Weather Report songs and 1 set of playing their songs.

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❤️❤️❤️!

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What a magical night that was made more magical with @fridatouray, @sam.crowe and the entire #NativeDancer band, as well as the fantastic, accessible atmosphere of #TheJazzCafe. 😍

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Native Dancer are one of my favourite bands too (who I first discovered after the incredible Frida sing backing vocals for @liannelahavas at Rough Trade East a few years ago, which is the power of being open to music from everywhere) and I cannot wait for their debut album. Personally to me, Frida is up the with greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Rosetta Tharpe as well, and Native Dancer are the future leading light of British #Jazz. So, go check them out. You’ll love them as much as I do.

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Thank you @nativedancer_ for a awesome night! Until we meet again.

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Cc: @jazzrefreshed @londonjazzfest @dannypallett

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#London #JazzMusic #LiveMusic #music

[mrsulaimankhan]

“#Go, #fly, #roam, #travel, #voyage, #explore, #journey, #discover, #adventure.”

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On Friday afternoon (7 December), this awesome human, my dear friend @carlmartin came to visit for a mini #Xmas shindig. ❤️. Always a pleasure and so much fun times.

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We’re working on lots of fab projects and are planning lots of adventures together for 2019 onwards. 😃☀️🌍 Super excited! Watch this space. 

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Carl = incredible ally, incredible friend. 

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Cheers buddy! Until next time. Thank you for the amazing gift too! Chat soon, my friend.✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻

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Let’s go! 🔥

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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” - Helen Keller

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻

[mrsulaimankhan]

Campaign Magazine’s 2018 Trailblazers for Change

[mrsulaimankhan]

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Jennifer Lee

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Hey, Tolu! On 26 November, Mel Exon and I had a milestone. We had our sixth mentoring session of twelve for #TheExchangeProject.

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[The Exchange Project – The reverse mentoring scheme is purpose-built to champion diversity within the creative industries as part of a wider cross-agency strategy initiated by Grey via the #AdvertisingDiversityTaskforce, which I’m a part of through my business ThisAbility. They brought together 34 pairs of senior leaders with 15+ years experience and BAME talent with 2-4 years experience.]

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The learnings are getting deeper and more mind/boundary pushing with every session, and I’m learning so much. I’m super chuffed Mel is my mentor too. Incredible woman, incredible session!

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Together, we are making business (and the world) better and more equitable, inclusive, friendlier, happier, loving, and healthier for everyone. 🙏🏽🙏🏽  Watch this space.

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WE GOT THIS! ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 

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“Dare to live the life you’ve always wanted.”

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 

👊🏻👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿

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Cc: @flyambassador @_SunshineCo @VCCP @GreyLondon @leorayman 

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#WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople #BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #AdventureIsCalling #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #MuscularDystrophy #InclusionRevolution #EquityFirstThenEquality #EqualPayForEqualWork #Advertising #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #ThisAbility #Disability #creativity

[mrsulaimankhan]

"We need to stop talking about masculinity, and femininity separately and talk about the behaviours that demonstrate humanity." – Laura Radcliffe ————————————— On #InternationalMensDay last Monday (19 November), I had a great time @Token_man & #HeAndShe's #MIW2018 event chatting all things #masculinity and the #workplace at Havas London. ————————————— The fantastic line-up of speakers included: 🔸An opening beautifully raw and articulate keynote on “Tender Masculinity” by Jordan Stephens (Actor, Musician for former Hip Hop duo Rizzle Kicks and Spokesperson for Mental Health Charity "I AM WHOLE”). 🔸An insightful and fact-filled talk on “Defining Masculinity in the workplace” by Laura Radcliffe (Lecturer in Organisational Psychology at The University of Liverpool). There's tons more amazing research by Laura here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aN4dElESOUEyBhTcGHavW7ZHH7ZzpslD/view 🔸An evoking and thorough Corporate Panel with Bruce Daisley (VP EMEA, Twitter), Catherine Mayer (Co-Founder of the Women's Equality Party), Simon Gunning (CEO, Campaign Against Living Miserably/CALM), and Xavier Rees (CEO, Havas). 🔸And a tear-jerking and powerfully eloquent short poem to close written by (and performed by) Sophia Thakur (Spoken Word Poet). ————————————— ❤️ ————————————— Wow. It was a fantastic, thought-provoking event that I loved! ————————————— Since the event, I have been critically analysing how I feel about being a man and so many thoughts have been swirling in my head, which I feel deserves a future blog post to expand my thoughts. As a South Asian, feminist, creative, disabled entrepreneur man, I’ve never felt a part of society’s narratives of masculinity or felt I fit masculine norms for that matter. I’ve never fully been comfortable with my body that is severely progressively fading from Muscular Dystrophy or mind (and still don’t know if I ever will be), but I’m trying to always grow through discomfort and learning to love myself (and look after myself) more. Being raised mainly by my maternal Grandmother, mother, and sisters, being feminine (or #femininity) doesn’t scare me. Knowing my body is dying faster than my mind, having to bear the fact that I’ll never be able to take advantage of my any physical strength, knowing that I’ll never be able to give the people I love a hug myself, etc. for example does scare me. Although, for me, I’m not afraid to just be and flow against the river nor to redefine masculinity and what being a “man” means on my terms with my own narrative; and I’m about a balance of both being #masculine and #feminine, which is why I wore my new rainbow sequinned kimono. I want to be free to wear what I want and be who I want. 🔥✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏽 ————————————— #ONWARDSandUPWARDS. 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻 ————————————— Thank you all for an awesome event. Together, we will make a better world for all of us, both men and women. ————————————— ��True Equality cannot exist unless we all survive.” – Sophia Thakur ————————————— #Humanity #man #WorkHardAndBeNiceToPeople #BeBraveAndDrivenByPurpose #DontBeADick #adventure InToTheWild #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled #MuscularDystrophy

[mrsulaimankhan]

“#Go, #fly, #roam, #travel, #voyage, #explore, #journey, #discover, #adventure.”

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On 17 November, my Mama and I had a great time attending #Accessibility Day @Gatwick_Airport. ✈️☀️ The event was an afternoon of taking a detailed tour of the airport facilities and services that are available for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (#PRMs). 

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It was my first ever time visiting #GatwickAirport and I ❤️ it! We explored the entire airport and what a #disabled wheelchair user like me would encounter during a typical journey. And we even got to go land-side and airside, as well as see the quiet room, saw the dedicated high-tech fire engine with some firemen (that Mama loved as she got to sit to in fire engine with them! ;}), tried the Ambulift, go through departures, go to a gate and jet bridge to the aircraft door, meet some EasyJet cabin crew, and caught up with my friend Geraldine (Passenger Accessibility Manager at Virgin Atlantic) amongst other things. 

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I was highly impressed and I think I prefer Gatwick over Heathrow in terms of accessibility, facilities, and services for PRMS. Gatwick will definitely be my airport of choice for my next adventure. 

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Also, over the last few months here in the UK, there has been a lot in the media and government about the inadequacies and struggling wheelchair users face when trying to travel by flight that most take for granted. So, it was refreshing to see an airport and professionals trying to make a positive difference for us. [I’m excited to be working with All Wheels Up, Flying Disabled, QEF TryB4UFLY, and other fab organisations to find a way to get wheelchairs on the aircraft as well, and to make flying are more dignified, comfortable and safe experience for PRMs like me that most take for granted]. More of this, please! 

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Thank you to Ahmed (my host for the day), the Special Assistance team, the cabin crews, and all the #LGW staff for an insightful, supportive and fantastic day too! See you soon.

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Now, I’m ready for my 2019 (and beyond) adventures. Let’s go! 🔥

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The world is waiting for me. ♿️🌍

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“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

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#ONWARDSandUPWARDS

👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻

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#Disability #WeDeserveBetter #aviation #AccessibleAviation #PaxEx #WheelchAIRtravel #a11y #inclusion #ComeFlyWithMe #adventures #NewAdventures #AdventureIsCalling #BeBoldBeWildBeFearless #FistBumpsOnlyPLEASE #IAmNOTAnInspirationIAmJUSTLivingMyLife #SuperAbled #IAmSuperAbled #MuscularDystrophy #Mother #Son #Family