SULAIMAN R. KHAN – سلیمان راشد خان

“Be brave and driven by purpose. Don't be a DICK.” (on creative work and environment) – Laura Jordan Bambach

So, who is Sulaiman, our Founder & Chief Radical Officer?

Read more about Sulaiman here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18rkezI2oQvxXOH-qGvDwjH6pPULnPxED_CdyzYi0aZk/edit?usp=sharing

He’s ignited by creativity, technology, regeneration (beyond sustainability), design, justice and liberation, collective/community care, activism (even before it became a hashtag, primarily Disability Justice and Environmental Justice), storytelling, rest, interdependence, love, and Collective Liberation.

Here's Sulaiman's story in his own words:

"As a Disabled AF, British Pakistani man, creative, active (non-optical) intersectional accomplice-in-progress, socially conscious entrepreneur, continual work-in-progress, I struggled to break into the “wonderful world of communication” (particularly in the advertising industry) despite having intense passion and relentless energy. Although, I no longer believe that creativity only lives in the advertising industry and now aim to work with the broader creative industries and beyond. I am frustrated by the lack of support for me and others (who are more talented than me) in the same situation to participate in the creative industries.

I am tired of waiting for change and feeling alone.

So, what public problem am I working to solve and why?

PROBLEM: In part due to the accepted narratives around creativity and disability, there is a severe lack of disabled creatives in the creative industries.

WHY: I’m part of what the UN calls the ‘world’s largest minority,’ a group currently at 1.4 billion people, an emerging market greater than China. This market, according to Return on Disability Group’s “Design Delight from Disability” report from September 2020… Yet, ye’re one of the world’s most marginalised communities. Our needs have consistently failed to be addressed, even though anyone could join this ‘minority’ at any point in their lives. I’m no longer interested in commoditising Disability and Disabled people.

ThisAbility Limited was born out of frustration at lack of representation of disabled creatives in the creative industries. At best, we are treated as Stella Young famously coined as ‘inspiration porn’ – that’s not good enough.

We’re life hackers by nature – because we have to overcome physical, social, attitudinal, economic and daily barriers.

On a personal level, I will be who I needed when I was youngster, and I have decided to be that brave change and lead this meaningful and purposeful rebellion positively by being a socially conscious entrepreneur.

I will do as the (Founder and) Chief Radical Officer: Read more about my thoughts on updating my title to Chief Radical Officer in November 2022 here. I’ll be radical with a sense of “who” and “why”. My ambition is to build, take ownership and have a real impact through my activities. I will act as a mentor to my team and our community; and they will be given the opportunity to build a shared sense of alignment, investment, and community care through interdependence and love.

Started in November 2016 in the UK (but with global efforts to connect with Disabled creatives from across the world), this is why I felt compelled to start this adventure after writing a blog post about Disability and the media in 2015. I don't know what lies ahead, but I am ready and not afraid to embrace any challenge that I may face. So, join ThisAbility Limited – Disability, daringly, with me, and see where this adventure leads us.

Welcome to a new era of visibility.

Cindy Gallop says it best: 'You will never own the future if you care what people think.'

Stay tuned for further updates."