Features | Events | Awards
Below is a selection of features we're honoured to have been involved in.
2023
ANNOUNCEMENT Our New BUSINESS VALUES ANNOUNCED
25 January 2023.
After over three months of work through deliberate attuning and alignment to our inner selves, we are now ready to share the new values of our business. Led by our radical and badass Founder and Chief Radical Officer, Sulaiman R. Khan, we are so proud of what we created and what we are achieving daily. These values are another iteration of this pride and achievement.
Disability, daringly. Always. ThisAbility Limited. Our business may be limited by name, but we are unlimited by imagination, and the future (for us) is bright.
Press Release ThisAbility LIMITED CERTIFIES a B Corporation
3 Feb 2023.
After over 18 months of intense planning and application process, we are excited to share that ThisAbility Limited has become a Certified B Corporation since December 2022.
A huge thank you to Mehalah Beckett, trained B Corp Consultant (otherwise known as a B Leader) and certified professional coach, for all her support and kindness throughout the B Corporation certification process. Long may your wisdom and joy continue.
Also, we’re so proud of Sulaiman and what we’re achieving daily as a business.
Watch this space.
Press Release Sulaiman R. Khan announced as ONE of FIFTEEN EXTRAORDINARY FELLOWS as PART of the SLOW FACTORY 2023 Fellowship
15 March 2023.
ThisAbility Limited is excited to announce that our Founder and Chief Radical Officer, Sulaiman R. Khan, has been announced as a 2023 Research Fellow via The Slow Factory to continue his radical adventure towards Collective Liberation, becoming a fully interdependent and loving being.
This is Sulaiman’s first-ever Fellowship, and he couldn't be prouder of an organisation to collaborate with on this. His Fellowship research will be on Access Intimacy as defined by Mia Mingus and Disability.
We’re so proud of Sulaiman and what we’re achieving daily as a business.
Watch this space.
Angela Y. Davis says it best:
[OPEN QUOTE] “We are not afraid to adopt a revolutionary stance — if, indeed, we wish to be radical in our quest for change — then we must get to the root of our oppression. After all, radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root.’” [CLOSE QUOTE]
2022
Event Year-Long RADICAL EVENTS
1 September 2022.
🚨 RADICAL EVENTS ALERT 🚨
Led by our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, these are radical, restful, and regenerative virtual sessions for bold, wild, fearless, liberatory, interdependent, joyful, grieving, and radical conversations. Starting on 28 September 2022, each session will have a specific theme that will daringly integrate Disability.
See you there, if you dare! 🔥
ANNOUNCEMENT New LEADERSHIP PROGRESSION
22 November 2022.
Our Sulaiman, creatively and courageously, updated his job to Founder and Chief Radical Officer hero at ThisAbility Limited. Here’s to more radical, accessible, interdependent, loving, joyful, and liberated adventures! 🔥
2021
Press RELEASE DRIIF 2022 Grant
30 July 2021.
Introducing our inaugural Disability Radical Imagination Impact Fund to support Disabled creatives. Here is what our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman says:
“I am immensely grateful, in praise, and faithful forever for a life full of gratitude, blessings, and abundance.
This is how I aim to lead my business. I am delighted to have the capacity to launch this fund. For me it’s the beginning of work I am destined to do and the start of my social and financial investment into our Disabled global family. I hope it will be my legacy after I am gone. Our Disabled global family is everything to me. This fund is for us. THIS fund is OURS.”
Reed the full press release here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13a2_c9si3O9eV8YxN78zWYFqHomZZNr7hnum_029XeU/edit?usp=sharing
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Halo Code Workplace sticker in green featuring The Halo Code logo. DESCRIPTION ENDS.
Press RELEASE The Halo Code
22 July 2021.
We are excited to announce that ThisAbility Limited has adopted The Halo Code, the UK's first Black hair code. No Black employee should have to change their natural or protective hairstyle in order to thrive at work. And ThisAbility are the first Disability-led organisation in the UK to adopt The Halo Code.
Reed the full press release here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hOVxsUgabrkNaEeYYJp_eKxMtoWEbnZE1qOcc7d4R_o/edit?usp=sharing
2020
Image description: A headshot of Sulaiman, a disabled South Asian man wearing a dark blue blazer, a light blue scarf with multicoloured butterflies and a silk embroidered black shirt. The picture has a purple tint and has a graphic border. On the bottom of the picture, there is white text that says: “NEXT CREATIVE LEADERS 2020 JURY”
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: On a blood-red background, there is a black illustration of James Baldwin on the left side of the image, and on the right side of the image there is white text with a quote from James that says: “I'm not interested in anybody's guilt. Guilt is a luxury that we can no longer afford. I know you didn't do it, and I didn't do it either, but I am responsible for it because I am a man and a citizen of this country and you are responsible for it, too, for the very same reason... Anyone who is trying to be conscious must begin to dismiss the vocabulary which we've used so long to cover it up, to lie about the way things are.”
Judge Next Creative Leaders
24 July 2020.
We’re delighted that our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer Sulaiman Khan will be a judge for the #NextCreativeLeaders 2020 competition.
“Developed collaboratively by The One Club for Creativity and 3 Percent Conference, Next Creative Leaders is a portfolio competition that identifies, celebrates and gives a global platform to talented women and non-binary creatives who are making their mark on the world with both their work and a unique point of view on creative leadership.”
We’d especially love to see BIPOC and disabled womxn and non-binary creatives enter the competition.
DEADLINE: 31 July 2020
Honour National diversity Awards
22 July 2020.
Wow! Congrats: Our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer Sulaiman has been shortlisted for the Lifetime Achiever Award at the National Diversity Awards 2020!
Black Lives Matter ThisAbility
31 May 2020.
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr.
Following recent events, we can’t stay silent anymore, and we had to post this today. In these precarious times, we stand in solidarity with those over in the US (as well as those across the world) whose rage is justified and whose pain is palpable in the fight against racism, injustice, oppression, and inequity.
Award Visionary Honours
Our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, recently won Community Person of The Year at the Visionary Honours via Visionary Arts Foundation UK, which was received on 6 May 2020.
New Blood D&AD
Our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, will be a Judge for the Durex jury at D&AD’s New Blood Awards this year! The brief is to: "Fight for diverse representation and empowerment in sex for disabled people."
2020 Vibes ThisAbility
We are officially back and raring to go to in 2020! We hope everyone had a fabulous and restful holiday season. We love this quote from Maya Angelou too that embodies how we plan to go into 2020 (and the decade).
2019
2019 Vibes ThisAbility
Necessary. ❤️
2020 (and the new decade), we’re coming for you.
Judge gettyimages
We are delighted that our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, was Judge for Getty Images’ Creative Bursary – Disability Stories; 18 September 2019 – 3 December 2019.
Bursary gettyimages
Our mission is to ignite, empower and amplify disabled creatives across the world, and Getty Images' mission is to move the world with images. So, we are absolutely honoured to be supporting them with a Creative Bursary—Disability Stories launched on 18 September to find disabled photographers! Deadline: 1st November. Apply now!
Update ThisAbility
The recent passing of the witty, wordsmith warrior Toni Morrison last month has us thinking about the power of language and actions have in empowering marginalised communities. And we love this quote about personal success needing meaningfulness, and a commitment to social justice from Toni.
Feature Sweetshop
Sulaiman’s write-up on being 1 of 5 delegates on Rare Access (19-24 May 2019) giving unprecedented access to D&AD Festival; 29 May 2019.
Award MT
Sulaiman (our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer) was named in Management Today’s 2019 Agents of Change Power List; 22 May 2019.
Interview Lecture in Progress
Sulaiman’s (our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer) first ever interview for Lecture in Progress chatting about amplifying the voices of disabled talent; published 14th March.
Panel LIVITY X GLA
Livity is hosting their first major event of 2019. Launch It - the careers festival for 16-22-year-olds who want to immerse themselves in the creative and digital industries. Our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer Sulaiman Khan will be joining a special evening panel "How to build a career at home" at this event, which Livity is doing in collaboration with The Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority.
22.2.19 // City Hall // 12pm - 4pm and 6pm - 9pm
Interview BSCL
Sulaiman’s interview with the Berlin School of Creative Leadership sharing my thoughts on creativity and disability; published 3rd January.
2018
2018 Thoughts
Necessary. ❤️
2019, we’re coming for you.
Award Campaign
Congrats to our Founder & Chief Purpose Officer Sulaiman Khan who was recently named one of Campaign Magazine’s 2018 top 10 Trailblazers with some of our most incredible, personal sheroes and heroes.
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.”
Wow. We’re so proud, and a great end to 2018.
Keep slaying, Sulaiman!
2019, we’re coming for you.
Event IDPD 2018
“Don’t be a hashtag disability pimp”. — Rosemary Frazer (29 June 2018, 19:23).
Yesterday (3 December), it was International Day of People With Disabilities, and we LOVE this quote by our advisor and good friend Rosemary.
Yes, you get it. Disabled people are more than you accept!
Speaker Elvis Outspoken
Four days ago (15th November), we had a great morning attending “The Disability Debate: More than Representation” with Elvis Communications and a fab panel National Gallery chatting all things Disability and media.
We shared best in class examples of brands celebrating disabled people in advertising and discussed some of the common barriers that can get in the way of all businesses doing the same. Unpacking the challenges around the industry's ignorance, lack of education or just fear of getting it wrong, we touched on the tangible ways we can all start making a difference.
Event Elvis Outspoken
We are all about tangible actions and making real change. So, we’re super excited to be working with Elvis Communications to bring you this special event. Join us for ‘The Disability Debate: More than Representation’ on 15th November 9:30am at the National Gallery. Campaign’s Our panel will be discussing on Disability in marketing and the creative industries.
Tickets are limited, so secure yours now and better equip yourself to bring diversity, but specifically Disability, into your business. Click on the link to secure yours now.
Post Blog
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” — Maya Angelou
Wow. Two years ago yesterday (22 October), we were founded by Sulaiman (our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer)!
Read Sulaiman’s eloquent and emotional blog post “Lonely River” of his thoughts on yesterday via the link below.
As June Sarpong best writes in her book Diversify: “Create a new normal that is equitable, diverse, and prosperous…”
WE GOT THIS!
Award 100 Creative Leaders With Social Heart
Congrats to our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, for making The Dots UK and Squarespace’s 100 creative #LeadersWithSocialHeart list! We are all very proud of you.
Keep going!
Award 2018 WINNER: DIMA 50 Male Advocate for Equality in Marketing & Media
We’re delighted that Sulaiman (our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer) to be one of the 2018 DIMA 50 Male Advocate for Equality in Marketing & Media, alongside 49 other incredible advocates.
DIMA's goal for the initiative is to showcase and celebrate the contribution of men in marketing and media who are advocating for change, promoting equality and actively taking action for change.
#DIMASummit
Speaker DIMA SUMMIT
Sulaiman was honoured to both delegate and speaker at the 2018 DIMA (Diversity in Marketing & Media) Summit.
Judge BIMA Awards ’18
We’re proud that our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, will be 2018 Judge for the BIMA Advance Award for Diversity Jury.
Award 2018 BIMA 100
Class of 2018, BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) – BIMA 100 "Champion for Good"
"The BIMA 100 celebrates the people who are shaping the British digital industry. They are the thought leaders, changemakers, disruptors and pioneers. They’re established figures within the industry who continue to be at its vanguard. They’re ‘ones to watch’ – new innovators in the chosen digital space who are making everyone else sit up and take notice.
Perhaps most of all, as our judges have noted, the people who comprise this year’s BIMA 100 have created a ‘wow’ factor. They’ve gone above and beyond the norm. They’ve challenged convention. Or they’ve given us a unique approach to age-old challenges.
Here, then, are your BIMA 100 for 2018. Congratulations to them all."
Campaign Feature
A wonderful article that was written by the wonderful Robyn for Campaign Magazine on the year ahead in adland and inclusivity in the creative industries, which our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, shared a few of my thoughts. A must read.
2017
Award Campaign
Our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, was named in Campaign Magazine’s annual of Top 10 Trailblazers for Change 2017 and a mention of his work with ThisAbility. Here’s to more badass adventures in 2018 and beyond to do businesses (and the world) a healthier, more empathetic, fairer, kinder, and inclusive place. Watch this space.
Speaker eurobest London
Sulaiman was an official speaker at the eurobest Festival of Creativity (from 28 November-30 November) at Victoria House Basement here in London. He was honoured to both be on a diversity panel with McCann Worldgroup Europe and host a workshop with my friend (and ThisAbility advisor) during the three-day event.
It was our first time joining eurobest, and what a pleasant experience we had.
Read his blog post about his experience here via the link below.
Campaign Feature
An article in Campaign about creative disabled talent, and our work at ThisAbility.
Open for Ideas Feature
Our Founder and Chief Purpose Officer, Sulaiman, wrote piece on disability and employment for openforideas.org (who are currently focused on Diversity & Divergency), which was published on 2nd March 2017.
2016
Campaign Feature
Pre-formation of ThisAbility: Sulaiman’s thoughts on working in the advertising industry as someone who happens to have a disability.
He was so honoured to have my first feature in the advertising industry's Campaign Magazine amongst such intelligent, awesome and creative people.
Speaker D&AD Festival 2016
Pre-formation of ThisAbility: Sulaiman was invited by D&AD to be an official Festival Speaker at the inaugural festival this year. I gave my keynote on 21st April 2016.
Title of his presentation: Make Today Worth Remembering: Problem Solving + Other Bullshit
Below is his blog post about it.