Our Community

We began in 2011, at a kitchen table in Bethnal Green.

After the passing of her mum, our founder and CEO, Asma Shah, reflected on her own challenges as a woman of colour navigating a city that often felt inaccessible– soon realising that the barriers she faced were not hers alone.

Asma’s vision was clear– break down these barriers by creating a space for young, unemployed, and underemployed Black and Brown women to access opportunities, build confidence, and take ownership of their futures.

What started as a funding-free programme with just 20 mentees has since grown into a movement, impacting 75 women annually and over 600 lives to date.

Rooted in East London, a community that has shaped and continues to inspire us, You Make It has become a catalyst for change – a force built by and for the people it serves.

After centuries of systemic intersectional oppression, we’re calling time on racial inequality, class exclusion, gentrification, and displacement. We don’t want hand-outs – we want reparation.

We exist to empower young Black and Brown women, marginalised by society, to access and enjoy the city they call home. Driving change from within, we call upon businesses to become active anti-racist allies, championing racially minoritised talent.

From our roots in Bethnal Green to across East London, women have a right to their city. This isn’t charity– it’s justice. And the time is now.

We want to live in a world where Black and Brown women can claim and embrace fulfilling lives for themselves.

A world where employers are progressive, anti-racist, and committed to engaging with and learning from underrepresented talent.

Where individuals, charities, and businesses work together to build a community of solidarity, ensuring that every individual can participate in the social, cultural, and economic life of the city.