Asma Shah

Born in London in 1973, I was raised on a Peckham Council estate with my late single mum and 3 elder sisters. I went to school in the Elephant and Castle, and then on to study A' Levels in Kings Cross. I graduated with a 2:1 in Modern History and then an MA in Contemporary British History & Politics from University of London from 1992-96. Before setting up You Make It, I worked as a Policy Adviser for the New Opportunities Fund, London Development Manager for Creative Skillset, 4 Talent Advisor for Channel 4, and as a Music Pathfinder Manager for the Roundhouse. In 2008 I was accepted as a fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme. This fellowship enabled me to take part in secondments for NGOs in Rio and Cape Town. I set up You Make It in 2011. In addition to being its Founder CEO, I'm on the board of trustees for the Arts Council NPO, People's Palace Projects - producers of collaborative projects between the UK and Brazil which promote social change, and also Oxford House - a Bethnal Green Heritage, Community and Arts venue.