Meet Mariam

In 2021, Mariam was appointed as CEO of Media Diversity Australia. She has also founded the Islamophobia Register Australia, and has held multiple board positions including formerly as Co-Chair of Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights and Our Watch. Mariam has worked as radio commentator for the ABC radio and as a columnist for Fairfax media. She was previously recognised as an anti-racism champion by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Mariam’s additional past and present roles include:

• Afghan Australian Advocacy Network #ActionForAfghanistan Executive
• Australian Human Rights Commission National Anti-Racism Framework Expert Advisory Group
• Member of Human Rights Pillar UN Association of Australia (NSW Division)
• Worldwide SHEroes Mentor
• Australian Human Rights Commission Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool Expert Advisory Group
• Welcoming Australia Advisory Committee Member
• Diversity Council Australia Membership and Advocacy Director
• Our Watch Board Director

With many accolades to her name including Fairfax Daily Life 2016 Woman of the year, Mariam is renowned for influencing positive change both in the workplace and in society more broadly. Her influence is felt in the many initiatives she promotes across her social media platforms, across which she collectively has over 50,000 + followers.

In 2017, Mariam addressed an audience of approximately 4000+ in her TEDx Sydney talk, shedding light on the issue of societal privilege and how it creates an unequal playing field for diverse minority groups. Through this presentation, Mariam successfully mounted the case for why cultural diversity targets are required to help create more of a meritocracy and stamp out racism and discrimination in the corporate sector.

She has been described as a woman who uses her “considerable wit and smarts to punch holes in the stupidity of racism, sexism and xenophobia in general” and someone who has “courage, tenacity and perseverance without the protection and resources afforded by public office.”

As a fearless advocate, Mariam is accustomed to being both an advocate against and a victim of xenophobia.  In 2015, she made global headlines as she endured months of cyber-bullying for simply speaking out against bigotry. Australians responded by rallying behind Mariam using the hashtag #IstandwithMariam.

Mariam was born in Afghanistan and came to Australia in 1990 with her family as a refugee and has long been a vocal champion of the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. When Kabul fell in August last year, Mariam was at the forefront of advocating for Australia to increase its humanitarian intake.

What does Racism. It Stops With Me mean to Mariam?

For Mariam, anti-racism advocacy shouldn’t just be for those who have skin in the game. She hopes that this campaign will encourage allies and those in positions of power to get comfortable with the uncomfortable conversations that need to be had about racism.

Her commitment to anti-racism advocacy came out of necessity, and she notes that so many people with lived experience of racism feel compelled to engage in anti-racism as they are heavily impacted by and invested in its elimination. This is a responsibility that should be shared by all.

Meet Ashleigh

Described by Forbes Magazine as a “youthful visionary”, Ashleigh Streeter-Jones has worked in youth advocacy and campaigns since she was a teenager. Ashleigh has been recognised by the Foundation of Young Australians as one of the Young Social Pioneers, was named the youngest ever Australian Capital Territory Woman of the Year and on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018. She is the former Vice-President of YWCA Canberra and previously co-founded Jasiri Australia’s Girls Takeover Parliament in 2017.

Ashleigh has advocated for youth and gender equality on an international level, including at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. In 2019, she was recognized as one of Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence and in 2021, she was selected as one of 50 young global leaders to attend Davos at the World Economic Forum, and by Young Australians in International Affairs as a Woman to Watch in International Affairs. She is the incoming Deputy Curator of the Melbourne Global Shapers Hub, a member of Apolitical’s New Voices Council, and a member of the Griffith University EveryWhen Steering Committee, looking at creating better intergenerational justice.

In 2020, Ashleigh launched Raise Our Voice Australia, a social enterprise to boost the presence of young female and non-binary voices in public decision making. Raise Our Voice Australia has already graduated 74 young women and gender diverse people from its programs, collected 603 speeches to the inaugural Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign, and has published research on young people and politics.

Ashleigh is recognised as an international thought leader on the importance of young people in the public sector, and has presented on the topic to both domestic and global organisations including the World Economic Forum and World YMCA.

What does Racism. It Stops With Me mean to Ashleigh?

Ashleigh recognises that racism is a systemic issue. As those who benefit from the status quo, Ashleigh acknowledges that white Australians have a responsibility to challenge colonial systems of power and ensure that a better future is created.

Ashleigh is committed to learning, action and developing skills in allyship. She notes that allyship is not something that you are, but something you need to practice everyday, and that we should never stop learning.

Keyarny grew up in a large family and strong community. She had conversations about race and racism from a young age and developed a passion for advocacy and justice. Experiences of racism at school led Keyarny to develop a strong sense of self and the importance of standing up for her beliefs. Throughout her life, experiences of racism and discrimination have strengthened Keyarny’s resolve and commitment to justice. Her identity as a First Nations person has always been a source of strength, pride and belonging.

Now a mother of three, Keyarny makes sure her own children see their heritage and identity as a source of pride.

Meet Dinesh

Dinesh was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland and the second person to graduate medical school with quadriplegia in Australia. Halfway through medical school, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a cervical spinal cord injury. As a result of his injury and experiences, Dinesh has long been an advocate for inclusivity. He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. 

Dinesh has completed an Advanced Clerkship in Radiology at the Harvard University and currently works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a senior lecturer at the Griffith University and adjunct research fellow at the Menzies Health Institute of Queensland. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury and a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. He is a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission and an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includeability program. In 2021, Dinesh was recognised as an International Day of People with Disability ambassador.

Throughout his career, Dinesh has been recognised through various awards and accolades, including the 2018 Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year, the 2019 Medal of the Order of Australia, the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year and the 2021 Queensland Australian of the year. Dinesh was the third Australian to be awarded a prestigious Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. His autobiography, ’Stronger’ was released in 2022 by Pan MacMillan.

What does Racism. It Stops With Me mean to Dinesh?

Dinesh feels passionate about our shared humanity and the need to see the value in all people. The barriers he has faced throughout his life inspire Dinesh to call out bigotry and prejudice, and to advocate for the rights of all people to be realised and upheld. He feels that racism is toxic and calls on us to be courageous and take a stand against it.

Meet Allira

Allira’s practice is fully immersed around culture, cultural awareness, and education, with a focus on debunking the wellness narrative to ensure diverse representation and decolonisation of a white-dominated wellness space.

Allira’s practice advocates for cultural diversity, body positivity, and mental wellbeing, utilising her platform to create conscious content that is both engaging and educational for her followers. Her socially broadcasted messaging empowers women to embrace their bodies, curves & all, and to love themselves for who they are. Allira is beginning to make her mark on the social media landscape and has recently worked with both international and national clients including The Body Shop, Kathmandu, Instagram, Libra, Cotton On, Schwarzkopf, LuluLemon, MECCA, Bioderma, Kmart, Spell, Wella, Target, Bumble and many more.

As Allira’s practitioner client bookings continue to escalate, so have her life-coaching and presenting skills. She has secured numerous speaking roles including for the likes of Instagram, AFLW, Keep It Cleaner, TAC, AllBright, Deakin Residential, Bethany Community Support, Business Chicks, and Koorie Women Means Business. As a role model to young Indigenous women, Allira’s inspirational story has been shared by high-profile media publications including Elle Australia, Shameless, The Grace Tales, POPSUGAR, and Mamamia, along with feature interviews for Vogue Australia, The Urban List, and SBS.

In February 2022, Allira released her first book ‘Wild & Witchy’ - a handbook for millennials about life, loss, spirituality and women’s intuition

While her career is thriving, Allira will always place importance on being true to herself and her connection to the roots of her Indigenous culture. Allira's connection with her culture, and learnings from her Elders, has led her to ensure that her business model will always put First Nations people first. Allira has dedicated her time to creating a private group where she offers all of services free of charge based on donations from allies and she strives to support and showcase Indigenous brands and businesses.

Allira is available for ambassador roles, social partnerships, speaking opportunities and event appearances.

She currently lives on Wadawurrung Country (Geelong), Australia.

What does Racism. It Stops With Me mean to Allira?

Allira got involves with the campaign because she felt it was important to bring attention to the continued presence of racism in Australia. She hopes that audiences are open minded, willing to learn and become meaningful allies.