Every one of us wants to be included. Whether as a child being selected to play on a team in the playground or joining a sports team. Becoming a member of a social club or any other membership type organisation, even the neighbourhood we live in, all we want is to be accepted. Ideally for who we truly are, although many of us will change to try and fit in to be acknowledged.
Growing up in the West End of Newcastle, at the time a predominantly White area, all I thought I ever wanted was to be White. Like those around me. To be accepted by them. I changed who I was to fit in, exclusively hanging around with White kids. Sadly, they were racist and called Asian shopkeepers “Pakis” and then turn to me and say “not you Ammar, you are one of us”. At the time that made me happy, feeling welcome. Unbeknown to me how wrong that was and how I should have had the courage to speak out.
The abuse we all suffered was truly horrific. Some of my earliest memories were that our front doors were barricaded with locks, reinforced with steel, even metal bars placed across them at night to keep us safe. It would take a good 10-15 minutes to lock the door every night. We weren’t allowed to look out of the windows from behind the curtains, as regularly there were White men stood on the street, drunk and hurling abuse at us.
Having finished education, I ran away to London, as everyone aspired to do, and worked at the British Council for a year, alongside the Canon Ionic Cinema. Both jobs I felt I fitted in, as the organisations were diverse and London cosmopolitan. However, I missed my North East and my late mother immensely, so I returned after a year.
Starting my local career, I applied for a fulltime job at a call centre. However, as I was different – male and ethnic – I was offered a temporary position. Having to work twice as hard as those around me, the call centre was a toxic environment focused purely on stats, although a great grounding for me. I was eventually promoted to Team Leader then a manager running the call centre. And whilst there, I realised the importance of championing others regardless of their background, colour or gender, even more so as I didn’t have one of those characteristics.
My biggest inspiration at the time was my mother, so I took it upon myself to champion women, and have done so ever since. Appreciating that we have so many trailblazers that have led change over the decades – women, black, ethnic minority, gender, religion, culture – it is equally important to recognise that without broader support those changes would not have materialised. Would slavery really have been abolished, or women allowed to vote without a White male leader championing the cause and encouraging the change.
When I established Asian Business Connexions in 2009, I prioritised Asians, as there was no representative body at the time. However, we have absolutely focused on inclusion and we have supported more local White people through our training programmes than ethnics. The same for our various campaigns.
With the Asian Women Enterprising (AWEsome) campaign set up to help tackle barriers for Asian women and inspire future generations to achieve. Our #Inclusionbydefault aims to help the North East become the most inclusive region in the UK by 2025. Our Asian Awards purposefully celebrate everyone, including White people, who have made a difference.
So, when I was notified of my nomination for the Northern Power Women Awards – Levelling Up Leader- I triple checked to see if this was real as I am a man and categorise myself as one. However, I was notified it is genuine and the awards demonstrate true inclusion. I love this and I am delighted to be shortlisted! Making me reflect on why can’t we stop using “Or” when it comes to inclusion, and start with “And”. Why shouldn’t we celebrate each other for our differences?
As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats and let’s use the oars to propel us forward together as one.
I would also like to wish my wonderful wife Louise a happy 40th Birthday. May all your wishes come true, thank you for being you and for all that you do.