Sofia Shah

Business leader, Concerned citizen, Educator/Teacher, Idea generator, Investor, Life mentor, Muslim, Parent, Performer, Potential employer, Project manager

Daughter of an immigrant from the South Asian continent. One of six siblings, I spent most my childhood trying to be noticed by my parents. My parents had very little money and could barely communicate in the English language. Father was a strong patriarchal Pathan, who worked day and night to provide for the family and send money abroad to family back home. As the years went by, my father educated himself whilst working full time. He became an on site paramedic for British Steel, bought several properties as investments and opened a retail school uniform business which has been trading for almost half a century . As the second daughter I lived in the shadow of my eldest sister; she was intelligent, fair skinned, athletic, basically good at everything. I recall as a child going to visit family in Birmingham. Upon arrival my sister was fussed over and was given pride of place at the dinner table, showered with kisses and presented with gifts. I remember standing in the corner crying until one of my aunts noticed. When she asked me what was wrong I told her and they just brushed it aside. I decided then that I would make my own 'brand' and rebelled in every single way; school, family and dress. I was always in trouble at school on report etc. I think one of the reason was I didn't have a sense of identity. All my friends were white and I thought I was white until I would be kindly reminded by some of my so called friends with their racist jokes and the accompanying 'not you' remark. I would laugh it off but it hurt. I left school with qualifications in English. My father refused to allow me to attend college, unlike my sister because of my poor results. I then worked in the family business for a number of years. These years were good. I learnt how to communicate in different situations, produce quarterly account reports, bid for contracts with local schools to sell their uniforms, stock control and overall running of a business. The business expanded from one outlet to four within three years. From here, I decided to venture into the world of work outside the family business.

Empowering the disadvantaged amongst us in society Challenging corruption within society at the highest level. Investing in the youth of today so that they can achieve their dream tomorrow. To live in a society/world where each one of us are non-judgemental of each other. To be compassionate and not hate. To allow us our opinions even if others do not agree with them. Accessible education for all, based on doing as opposed to memorizing facts and figures. To equip young people with the skills to venture out into the world and be able to identify and recognise when they are being misinformed and deceived by the media and powers at be for their own agenda. Young people should be encouraged to ask questions and hold those responsible for societies failings.

Invest in people of all ages.

Alternate Provision, Coaching, Community Outreach, English as an additional language, Mentoring, Safeguarding and SEND Governor, Teaching

I have supported and volunteered at TEDx Doncaster this has been a wonderful experience and has inspired me to apply to apply and organise TEDx in my home town of Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire.

Writing poetry