Amerah Saleh writes from the in-between—between Yemen and Birmingham, between Arabic and English, between what is carried and what is left behind. Hers is a voice shaped by movement. Born in the Middle East and raised in the Midlands, Amerah grew up with two maps in her hands—one drawn by memory, ... READ the POST
Amerah Saleh
Indi Deol
Indi Deol still remembers the first time culture took hold of him. He was six, at a wedding, and bhangra dancers burst onto the floor. The rhythm, the colour, the energy—it stayed with him. And in many ways, it never left. That early spark grew into a lifelong mission: to amplify South Asian ... READ the POST
Professor Carl Chinn MBE DL Ph.D. F.Birm.Soc.
Professor Carl Chinn MBE DL Ph.D. F.Birm.Soc. Professor Chinn’s Birmingham is not a backdrop—it’s a living story. Brick by brick, voice by voice, it pulses with the histories of working-class families, of factories and back-to-backs, of struggle and pride. His work has always begun in the same ... READ the POST
Sahil Usman BEM
At a time when most teenagers are just beginning to discover the world, Sahil Usman BEM was confronting it head-on. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 13, his world became hospital corridors, masked faces, and the quiet uncertainty of treatment. But even then—even when his ... READ the POST
Anna Jones
Anna Jones grew up with one foot in the furrows and the other in the future. Raised on a farm on the Welsh Borders, in a small and tightly woven Shropshire community, she always knew she would leave—not to escape, but to tell stories. At 18, she left for university to study Journalism in northern ... READ the POST
Frameworthy: London – 6 September 2025
Join us for a powerful and uplifting celebration of impact, community, and breathtaking portraiture as Frameworthy brings its inspiring pop-up art exhibition to Indra Gallery, London, on Saturday 6 September 2025. From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, this one-time-only show will honour extraordinary ... READ the POST
Amy Bird
In the scrap and metal recycling sector—where hard hats meet hard truths, and women have too often been overlooked — Amy Bird stands with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering sense of purpose. The beginnings of Women in Recycling were small but electric. A message. Then a group chat. Then a ... READ the POST
Yetunde Dania
Some journeys begin with privilege. Others begin with grit. For Yetunde Dania, the path into law wasn’t lit by legacy—it was carved through resilience, clarity, and an unshakable sense of purpose. Raised in interracial foster care, navigating systems that weren’t built for someone who looked like ... READ the POST
Lucinda “Cindy” Edwards
For Cindy Edwards, building a space isn’t just about event planning—it’s about creating a sense of home. In an industry where spectacle can sometimes overshadow soul, Cindy has built her name—and legacy—on something more lasting: care, community, and the courage to do things differently. When ... READ the POST
Leyla Okhai
Leyla Okhai doesn’t just challenge exclusion, she has created a business that is centred on inclusion. As the founder of Diverse Minds UK Ltd, Leyla has spent almost two decades proving that true inclusion is not a policy, but a practice. Her work aims to transform organisations from universities ... READ the POST
Anna Nilsson
Anna Nilsson doesn’t just maintain the grounds—she transforms them. At The Belfry, where elegance meets exacting standards, Anna Nilsson has made her mark—not only on the world-class fairways and pristine greens but on the perceptions of what a greenkeeper can be. Stepping away from a traditional ... READ the POST
Dr Shani Dhanda
Dr Shani Dhanda moves through the world with power, precision, and purpose. Born and raised in Birmingham, Dr Shani Dhanda has become one of the UK’s most influential disability inclusion specialists — not through noise but through impact. Her work has reached over 1.5 million employees across the ... READ the POST
Paul Faulkner
Paul Faulkner is one of Birmingham’s most accomplished and versatile leaders, with a track record of success spanning business, sport, and charitable sectors. As Chief Executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, he oversaw a powerful network dedicated to supporting businesses of all ... READ the POST
Tom Clarke-Forrest
Tom Clarke-Forrest doesn’t lead from the front. He leads from the side—alongside the young people he serves, the team he’s built, and the city that shaped him. In 2006, Tom Clarke-Forrest founded Sport 4 Life UK with a simple but powerful belief: that sport could be more than recreation. It could ... READ the POST
Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE
When Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE was told at school he should consider becoming a boxer, it wasn’t because he lacked brilliance. It was because someone lacked imagination. Luckily, his father didn’t. “You don’t need anybody’s permission to be a great mathematician,” he said. And that’s ... READ the POST
Doug Wright MBE DL
Doug Wright MBE DL built his empire from the ground up—literally. Starting as a part-time cleaner at McDonald’s for 93p an hour, he learned success was not given, but earned. What began with sweeping floors became a masterclass in resilience, grit, and vision. Doug Wright MBE DL didn’t just rise ... READ the POST
Casey Bailey
Casey Bailey grew up in Nechells with a pen in his hand and a city in his lungs. A writer, performer, playwright, and educator, Casey Bailey has made language a home for memory, for pride, for protest, for possibility. As Birmingham Poet Laureate from 2020 to 2022, Casey Bailey carried the voice ... READ the POST
Prof. Patrick Vernon OBE
Professor Patrick Vernon OBE doesn’t just document history—he redefines it. As Chair of the Birmingham and Solihull NHS Integrated Care Board (BSol ICB) and Pro Chancellor of Wolverhampton University, Professor Patrick Vernon OBE has turned advocacy into architecture—building systems that centre ... READ the POST
Stuart Bratt BCAh
Stuart Bratt BCAh knows what silence can cost. In 2019, he lost two close friends to suicide—just four days apart. The shock was devastating. But from the depths of that grief, something urgent and unshakable emerged. Stuart Bratt BCAh didn’t wait for someone else to act. He founded Tough Enough To ... READ the POST
Anisa Morridadi
Anisa Morridadi builds movements. Not just organisations or programmes—but new ways of thinking, creating, and listening. A social entrepreneur, speaker and provocateur, Anisa Morridadi has spent over a decade reshaping how young people engage with power, culture, and the systems that shape their ... READ the POST
Dr. Imandeep “Immy” Kaur
Dr. Imandeep “Immy” Kaur isn’t interested in simply imagining new systems—she co-builds and demonstrates them. From the ground up. With a wide ecosystem of partners, neighbours and communities, not for them. As a Co-Founder of CIVIC SQUARE, Immy, the team and the ecosystem around them, has spent a ... READ the POST
Joel Blake OBE
Joel Blake OBE was born and bred in Birmingham, in a working-class home where ambition started on a paper round and grew with every job that came after. From factories to filing rooms, from tea runs to careers advice centres, Joel Blake OBE did not follow the traditional academic route, but moved ... READ the POST
Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo MBE
Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo MBE doesn’t just advocate for change—he embodies it. His life’s work is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and relentless pursuit of justice. Born and raised in Birmingham, Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo MBE has dedicated his life to breaking down barriers others ... READ the POST
Aftab Rahman
For over four decades, Aftab Rahman has helped reshape the soul of Birmingham—quietly, intentionally, and with an unwavering belief that every community deserves to see its story told with care and dignity. Through a lifetime of listening, building, and enabling, Aftab Rahman has become one of the ... READ the POST
Darnish Amraz MBE
Darnish Amraz MBE knows how powerful it can be when someone believes in you. Growing up in Aston, Birmingham, he saw how easily young lives could be shaped by violence, poverty, and limited opportunity. But when youth workers stepped in—offering trust, support, and a different vision of the ... READ the POST
Shaleen Meelu
Shaleen Meelu has spent her career rethinking how food flows through our cities—who grows it, who eats it, who gets left behind, and what it means for our collective health. Her work doesn’t begin in a kitchen or end at a supermarket shelf. It starts upstream—in policy, procurement, education—and ... READ the POST
Neelam Heera-Shergill
Neelam Heera-Shergill has never waited for permission to speak. She has carved out space in rooms that weren’t built to include her, and then used that space to amplify thousands more. A speaker, researcher, advocate and changemaker, Neelam Heera-Shergill has spent more than a decade fighting for ... READ the POST
Rosie Ginday MBE
Rosie Ginday MBE has always believed that beauty and change can co-exist—that something exquisite and delicate, like a handmade macaroon, can hold the power to change the course of someone’s life. As founder and CEO of Miss Macaroon, Rosie Ginday MBE created a patisserie unlike any other: a ... READ the POST
Dame Neslyn Watson-Druée
Dame Neslyn Watson-Druée has spent a lifetime proving that leadership is not a title—it’s a calling. And hers began not in boardrooms, but in courage. From her early career in nursing to chairing NHS Trusts and shaping national policy, Dame Neslyn Watson-Druée has been a transformative force ... READ the POST
Dr Marcia Shakespeare MBE
There are some lives that divide into before and after. For Dr Marcia Shakespeare MBE, that moment came on 2 January 2003—the night her daughter, Letisha, was murdered in a drive-by shooting outside a New Year’s Eve party in Birmingham. Letisha was 17. Her best friend, Charlene Ellis, was also ... READ the POST
Yiannis Maos MBE
For Yiannis Maos MBE, tech has never been about code—it’s been about community. Yiannis Maos saw early on that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. In a tech industry often dazzled by disruption, he chose something deeper: connection, collaboration, and community. Yiannis Maos ... READ the POST
Naseem Akhtar BEM
Naseem Akhtar BEM has never waited for permission to lead. She saw what was missing—safe, welcoming, culturally rooted spaces for women to move, connect, and thrive—and she built it. Raised in Birmingham, with roots in Kashmir, Naseem’s journey has always been shaped by community. For over two ... READ the POST
Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan MBE
Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan MBE did not simply bring South Indian classical music to Birmingham—she made it resound. She carved space for centuries-old rhythms and sacred movement to breathe in a modern city, and in doing so, built a bridge between continents, cultures, and generations. Founder of ... READ the POST
Keith Fraser
A former West Midlands Police Superintendent and now Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Keith Fraser is one of the UK’s most respected and trusted figures in youth justice reform. Keith Fraser didn’t just rise through the ranks—he used every step to pull the system closer to ... READ the POST
Jenn Harrison BEM
In Smethwick, a town shaped by migration, resilience, and deep community roots, Jenn Harrison BEMhas helped grow a version of leadership that starts not with speeches, but with service. Throughouther career, she has spent more than three decades turning care and compassion into ... READ the POST
Frameworthy: Birmingham – 19 July 2025
Join us for an unmissable celebration of impact, art, and community as Frameworthy brings its uplifting pop-up art exhibition to Centrala Gallery, Birmingham, on Saturday, 19 July 2025. From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, this one-time-only art show will honour the best of Birmingham and the West ... READ the POST
Sacha Lord
Few individuals have shaped Manchester’s identity quite like Sacha Lord. From transforming a forgotten air raid shelter into one of the world’s most influential club nights to creating Europe’s largest metropolitan festival, his vision has cemented Manchester as a global powerhouse for music and ... READ the POST
Cheryl and Paul Sharrocks
Cheryl and Paul Sharrocks have bottled the spirit of Stockport—quite literally. What began as a garage experiment in their home has become a defining part of Stockport’s resurgence as a destination for craft, creativity, and independent business. Stockport Gin was born in 2019, not in a factory, ... READ the POST
Dr. Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL
Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL has spent his life turning barriers into breakthroughs, helping to shape Manchester into a city where inclusion is not just an aspiration but a lived experience. From the Royal Air Force to the heart of local government, Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL’s journey is one of ... READ the POST
Stacey Copeland
Stacey Copeland is a history-maker, a barrier-breaker, and one of Manchester’s most unstoppable forces. In a city that thrives on resilience, reinvention, and defying expectations, she has done all three—again and again. The first British woman to win the Commonwealth boxing title. The first female ... READ the POST
Nick Abbott MBE FRICS
Nick Abbott MBE FRICS builds more than structures—he builds futures. A distinguished figure in the built environment, his work has transformed skylines, but his true legacy is found in the tens of thousands of young lives he has uplifted, the communities he has strengthened, and the barriers he has ... READ the POST
Dr. Caroline M. Clegg
Dr. Caroline Margaret Clegg is a visionary theatre and opera director, educator, and humanitarian whose work has transformed the cultural landscape of Manchester and beyond. Born in Bury, Lancashire, she began her artistic journey at the age of four, immersing herself in singing and dancing at her ... READ the POST
Dr. Nighat Awan OBE
Dr. Nighat Awan OBE is a business leader, philanthropist, and trailblazer who has transformed industries, empowered communities, and redefined leadership. From pioneering Indian dining in the UK to mentoring young entrepreneurs and leading humanitarian efforts, her impact is felt far beyond the ... READ the POST
Sandy Lindsay MBE
Sandy Lindsay MBE is a visionary business leader, a relentless advocate for social mobility, and a champion for young people. She has spent her career breaking down barriers to opportunity, proving that talent should not be dictated by postcode. Her impact extends far beyond the boardroom—through ... READ the POST
Anita Frost
Celebrated as Manchester's foremost children's author, Anita Frost is a pioneering innovator, an award-winning entrepreneur, and a changemaker redefining children’s entertainment from the heart of Manchester. As the founder of Green Bean Studios, she has built an industry-leading brand that blends ... READ the POST
Shirley May
Shirley May is a literary architect, a cultural guardian, and a radical force for change. A first-generation Black British poet of Jamaican heritage and a proud Mancunian, Shirley has spent decades ensuring that Manchester’s artistic and literary landscapes are not just inclusive—but transformed. ... READ the POST
Javeno Mclean
Javeno McLean is Manchester’s unstoppable force for good—a former elite cricketer turned community powerhouse, whose life’s mission is proving that fitness is for everyone. As the founder of J7 Community Health Centre, he has revolutionised what a gym can be, offering completely free personal ... READ the POST
Akeim Mundell BEM
Few individuals embody community spirit, resilience, and dedication quite like Mr. Mundell BEM. An award-winning community activist, educator, and champion for social change, he has dedicated his life to empowering the people of Manchester—particularly its younger generations—by creating tangible ... READ the POST
Isabelle Pennington-Edmead
Isabelle Pennington-Edmead is a designer with a mission—one who understands that fashion is more than fabric; it is a language, a form of resistance, and a tool for reimagining history. As a storyteller through textiles, she is carving out a space where craftsmanship meets activism, sustainability ... READ the POST
Aaron Lee BCAv
Aaron Lee BCAv is a firefighter, former police officer, and community leader whose tireless dedication to service has left an indelible mark on Manchester and beyond. His story is one of resilience, selflessness, and a relentless drive to ensure that those lost in tragedy are never ... READ the POST
Lee Chambers
Lee Chambers is a disruptor, an advocate, and a builder of better futures. As the founder of Male Allies UK, he is reshaping conversations around inclusion—not by repeating what’s already been said, but by tackling one of the most complex challenges in equality: how to engage men in meaningful ... READ the POST
Simon Wood
Few chefs embody the spirit of Manchester like Simon Wood. A pioneer of modern British cuisine, a champion of hospitality, and an unwavering advocate for his city, Simon has shaped the region’s food culture with his signature blend of creativity, precision, and accessibility. His journey—from ... READ the POST
Deanne Blake
Deanne Blake is reviving tradition, redefining craft, and bringing the bold, fiery flavours of her Jamaican heritage to the heart of Manchester. As the founder of Root2Ginger, she has turned a generations-old family recipe into an award-winning brand, proving that authenticity and passion are the ... READ the POST
Steve Hill MBE
Few embody the spirit of resilience, adventure, and service quite like Steve Hill MBE. A distinguished educator, adventurer, motivational speaker, author, and founder of the Team Hill Charitable Trust, he has dedicated his life to inspiring others—both within the classroom and beyond. For nearly ... READ the POST
Lucky Roy Singh
Lucky Roy Singh is a trailblazing queer, non-binary Desi activist, author, and performer, redefining the conversation around LGBTQ+ rights, honour-based abuse, and forced marriage. A fearless advocate for visibility and justice, they have shattered cultural and societal barriers, proving that ... READ the POST
Helen Hardy
Helen Hardy is a game-changer in every sense of the word—not just in football, but in representation, access, and equity in sport. Through Manchester Laces, the city’s first inclusive football club for women and non-binary players, and Foudys, the UK’s first retailer dedicated to women’s football ... READ the POST
Nicole Broad
An award-winning business owner and sustainability trailblazer, Nicole Broad is redefining fashion with creativity, conscience, and craftsmanship. As the founder of The Fruit Moth, a Manchester-based sustainable fashion brand, she is turning the fast fashion model on its head, creating timeless ... READ the POST
Saira Hussain
Saira Hussain is an architectural designer, entrepreneur, and industry leader who has redrawn the blueprint for success in architecture. At just 21 years old, in the midst of the 2011 recession, she founded her first practice, proving that talent, resilience, and vision can break through even the ... READ the POST
Mish Liyanage
Mish Liyanage is not just a business leader—he is a force for change, shaping the future of Manchester through entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and philanthropy. As the founder and CEO of The Mistoria Group, he has built one of the North West’s most successful property investment and ... READ the POST
Jonathan Berry
Jonathan Berry is a changemaker who proves that kindness is not just a virtue but a powerful force for change. As the founder of The Kindness Forecast, Jonathan is redefining the way we think about generosity—turning simple acts of kindness into a movement that creates tangible impact. Jonathan’s ... READ the POST
Lewis Clare
Lewis Clare is a farmer, educator, and advocate for a more connected, sustainable future—a changemaker bridging the gap between food, farming, and the communities who rely on them. As the steward of Red House Farm, a Soil Association-certified organic farm on the outskirts of Manchester, Lewis is ... READ the POST
Zara Paul
Zara Paul is a changemaker redefining the intersection of technology, creativity, and inclusivity. As co-founder of Choppity, Zara is transforming the way content is created—making AI-driven video editing radically more efficient and accessible. Their work is not just about improving technology; it ... READ the POST
Micky Dacks
Micky Dacks has lived the story he now tells. A playwright, screenwriter, director, actor, musician, and mentor, his journey from a troubled past to a leading force in Manchester’s creative industries is one of transformation, redemption, and the unwavering belief that art has the power to change ... READ the POST
Scott Darraugh
Scott Darraugh is a social entrepreneur, changemaker, and relentless advocate for community-driven solutions. His career is built on a radical commitment to people and place, ensuring that healthcare, wellbeing, and opportunity are not dictated by postcode or budget cuts. A decade into his career ... READ the POST
Frameworthy: Bristol – 5 July 2025
Join us for an unmissable celebration of impact, art, and community as Frameworthy brings its uplifting pop-up art exhibition to Arts Mansion, Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN on Saturday, 5 July 2025. From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, this one-time-only art show will honour the best of ... READ the POST
Frameworthy: Shrewsbury – 17 May 2025
Join us for an unmissable celebration of impact, art, and community as Frameworthy brings its uplifting pop-up art exhibition to Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday, 17 May 2025. From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, this one-time-only art show will honour the best of Shrewsbury, the West ... READ the POST
Bernadette Conlon MBE
Bernadette Conlon MBE has redefined how Salford approaches mental health, inclusion, and artistic empowerment. In 1993, with nothing but a car boot full of art supplies and a belief that creativity could change lives, Bernadette Conlon MBE founded START Inspiring Minds. What began as a grassroots ... READ the POST
Frameworthy: Manchester – 6 April 2025
Celebrate Impact Through Art Join us for an unmissable celebration of impact, art, and community as Frameworthy brings its uplifting pop-up art exhibition to HOME Manchester on Sunday, 6 April 2025. From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, this one-time-only art show will honour the best of ... READ the POST
Nile Henry
Nile Henry is not waiting for the future—he is building it. In a city known for innovation, he is a force driving Manchester’s transition to a Net Zero, tech-driven economy, ensuring that no one is left behind in the green industrial revolution. Through cutting-edge EdTech, engineering challenges, ... READ the POST
Professor Kirsty Fairclough
Professor Kirsty Fairclough has shaped the way Manchester—and the world—understands the intersections of screen cultures, music, and celebrity. A cultural force within the city’s creative industries, she has spent her career championing the North as a global centre for media and the arts, ensuring ... READ the POST
Duncan Craig OBE
Duncan Craig OBE is one of Manchester’s most fearless changemakers—a fighter, a healer, and a voice for those who have been silenced. From reshaping national policy to revolutionising survivor support in the North, his impact on Greater Manchester and beyond is undeniable. A career that began in ... READ the POST
Zamzam Ibrahim
Zamzam Ibrahim is a force for change—an activist, organiser, and leader who has reshaped education, sustainability, and social justice in the UK and beyond. Raised in Manchester, a city known for its radical thinkers and changemakers, she has carried that legacy forward—demanding systemic change in ... READ the POST
