Maher Anjum Borderlines Talk on the OITIJ-JO Collective

When: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Hybrid: MS teams and G.07 Bancroft Building, Mile End Campus

Speaker: Maher Anjum

Borderlines is pleased to welcome Maher Anjum as our esteemed speaker, who will be sharing insights on her remarkable journey with The OITIJ-JO Collective. Born in the wake of the 2012 London Olympics, The OITIJ-JO Collective addressed significant challenges, including the marginalization of communities like British Bangladeshi and the lack of visibility for creatives in sectors such as fashion and hospitality. Join us as Maher delves into the genesis of two pivotal initiatives, OITIJ-JO Design Studios and OITIJ-JO Kitchen, and explores the challenges faced by this pioneering social impact enterprise.

Maher Anjum is an Organizational Consultant, Senior Researcher, and Foodie with a Mission! With 20 years of experience, Maher has spearheaded evidence-based projects such as the Sure Start program in Stepney and established impactful public-private partnerships like UpSkill in Bangladesh. She focuses on creating sustainable opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly women, through collaborative research. Maher's recent report with Craft Council and GCU London, "Wow! I Did This: Making Meaning Through Craft. Disrupting the Craft Canon," exemplifies her commitment to intersectional research. As co-founder and Director of the OITIJ-JO Collective, she empowers British Bangladeshi creative practitioners through initiatives like OITIJ-JO Kitchen and Design Studios, fostering economic engagement and community well-being. Maher's influence transcends borders, with her work spanning the UK, South Asia, South Africa, the Americas, and Europe. She is a catalyst for positive change, building cross-cultural relationships and delivering impactful programs worldwide. 

All welcome. No registration required