Founder Spotlight: Bilkis Miah – Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders
In this instalment of Founder Spotlight, we shine a light on Bilkis Miah, a visionary disrupting the landscape of education with her pioneering program, You Be You. Miah’s resolute dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for all children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, serves as an inspiring beacon of change.
Elevating Lives: The You Be You Revolution
Bilkis Miah’s impact is undeniable. Through You Be You’s curriculum, focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside soft skill development, she has transformed the lives of 11,710 students, teachers, and parents across the UK. With a resounding 98% of teachers finding the program useful and impactful, and nearly three-quarters of pupils experiencing newfound confidence and improved mental health, Miah’s work resonates deeply.
Innovation in Education: A Mission for Change
An innovator at heart, Bilkis Miah is rewriting the rulebook of education. With over a decade dedicated to You Be You’s mission, she is breaking down barriers and ensuring all children have access to opportunities and choices, regardless of race, class, religion, and gender.
Empowering Personal History: The Genesis of You Be You
Miah’s journey, as a British-Bangladeshi woman raised by immigrant parents, powers her commitment. She recognised the pressing need to dismantle rigid gender roles and expectations, a sentiment rooted in her experience. Being the Founder of You Be You was her response to providing transformative opportunities to marginalised youth.
Reshaping Education: A Mission in Motion
Challenging the status quo, Miah’s mission was ignited by a troubling statistic: By age 6, girls already believe they are less intelligent than boys. Leaving her corporate career behind, she embarked on the You Be You journey to instill life skills in young minds. Challenges only spurred her commitment, leading to a refined mission and a stronger resolve.
A Day in the Life of a Change-Maker
As CEO and founder, Bilkis Miah’s daily schedule mirrors the nature of her role. From crafting growth strategies to navigating fundraising endeavours, her tasks are as diverse as they are crucial. Amidst her responsibilities, the heartbeat of You Be You remains its community, reflecting her commitment to being more than just a business.
Guiding Principles of Triumph
Adaptability and belief in her mission have been Bilkis Miah’s guiding principles. Passion, she asserts, is the ignition for entrepreneurship. Miah’s steadfast faith in You Be You’s mission has improved engagement within the community and impressed funders. Her conviction in herself and her mission is steadfast.
Looking Ahead: A Vision of Impact
The future is promising for You Be You, with a focus on expanding its reach across the UK and beyond. Miah envisions a generation armed with confidence, resilience, and financial literacy, ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Her mission is to reshape education, ensuring children are prepared not just for tests, but for life.
Building Bonds: Nurturing Relationships
Bilkis Miah’s leadership centres on transparent relationships. Trust flourishes through open communication and a shared journey. Miah’s honesty about challenges and aspirations fosters a sense of community involvement, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
Nurturing Talent and Innovation
You Be You thrives in a diverse and inclusive environment, where talent acquisition is about fostering a mosaic of perspectives. The team celebrates every voice and encourages creativity. Innovation emerges from lived experiences, fostering a culture that embraces and nurtures every idea.
As Bilkis Miah continues her journey, her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reshaping the future. Through You Be You, she is paving the way for empowered leaders who believe in their potential and are ready to build a better world.