Asma Shah

Asma Shah is the Founder and CEO of You Make It, an award-winning race and class inclusion charity based in inner city London.13 She founded the organization in 2011, initially starting it as a funding-free program from her kitchen table.1

You Make It focuses on empowering young, unemployed and underemployed women, particularly those from working-class backgrounds and predominantly Black and Brown communities.3 The charity aims to provide these women with the confidence, skills, networks, and opportunities they need to access the social, cultural, and economic life of their city.1

Under Asma's leadership, You Make It has grown significantly since its inception:

• It began with a program for 20 women and now reaches 75 women annually.1
• The organization has positively impacted the lives of over 500 women.1
• You Make It delivers human-centered programs and also supports companies and professionals in engaging with underrepresented talent.1

Asma's work is driven by her personal experiences and a desire to address intersectional oppression.3 She is passionate about creating better futures for global majority women and has been recognized for her efforts in this field.5

In addition to her role at You Make It, Asma has served as an advisor on the Mayor of London's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group.4 She is also known for speaking about issues related to racism, inequality, and white privilege, sharing insights from both her personal experiences and her work with You Make It.2