London Social Justice

This award is for London based campaigners tackling poverty and its root causes. It is geared towards providing solutions and opportunities to the problems facing the capital and its communities.

Winner

Noori Bibi

‘Young Muslim Voices’

Noori is working to break barriers between communities and challenge negative perceptions about young Muslims, women and refugees. She is managing and developing young leaders to bridge the gap between silent voices and decision-makers. Noori has planned anti-racism festivals, run campaigns on ‘girl power’ and organised events about knife crime. Young Muslim Voices has been running for two years and has engaged thousands of young people, while impacting on services and policies in Islington.

Finalists

Joanna Corbin

‘Face Equality Campaign’ – Changing Faces

Joanna is working to combat social prejudice and discrimination towards people with facial disfigurements. By organising initiatives with a variety of groups such as the media, schools, and government, she is striving to achieve Facial Equality. Joanna has demonstrated leadership by advocating for social and economic change in order for people to embrace their disfigurements. By actively lobbying the government to tackle injustice towards disfigurement, Joanna is helping to create a society where, regardless of appearance, everyone is valued for their contribution.

Sulaiman Khan

‘Blow Your Mind’ – Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Sulaiman is working to promote disability awareness in London. He is doing this by coming up with innovative and humorous campaigns that challenge and change people’s perceptions about disability. By aiming to change social injustices, Sulaiman is endorsing the idea that disabled people deserve the same rights and treatment as everyone else. His inspiration comes from a strong sense of justice and awareness of the world around him.

Judges

Mubin Haq

Mubin is Director of Policy and Grants at Trust for London. Currently, Mubin is a Trustee of London Funders and is a member of the London Strategic Migration Partnership. Prior to that, he was on the boards of a range of other organisations, including London and Quadrant Housing Association's Community Investment Committee, Community Foundation Network and Royal Docks Trust. He previously worked for South East London Community Foundation where he undertook a number of roles, including Interim Director and Head of Grants.

Elahe Panahi

Elahe is the Director of a community centre in east London that offers a wide range of support services to locals, focusing on promoting community engagement and participation. Currently, she is a member of Housing and Migration Network, in addition to Chair of the Evelyn Oldfield Unit. Elahe has been a Trustee of the Refugee Arrival Project, Refugee Women’s Association, Refugee Council, Asylum Aid, and the Supplementary and Mother Tongue Resource Unit.

John Rudkin

John is the Director of Tradewind Heights RTM Limited, where he is a Chartered Accountant. John knew Sheila from his work with Which? where he currently works as an internal auditor. He was appointed as Treasurer of the SMK Board of Trustees in 2008.