Aftab Rahman MBE

Carl Chinn sits down in conversation with Aftab Rahman, founder and chief executive of the Birmingham charity LegacyWM and a lifelong social activist. Aftab came to England from Sylhet aged six in 1976, one of the first few Bangladeshi families to settle here, and grew up in Lozells through the 1980s.This is a Birmingham life story that carries a wider history. Aftab talks about the myth of return and why Bangladeshi families arrived later than others, the racism and street violence of the 1980s. He remembers a father who split his years between two countries, a stepmother who raised him as her own, the time away from his mother and when he was reunited with her. He speaks of leaving school with no qualifications, the restaurant trade that was expected, the teacher who finally made him believe he was clever, and the life goal he set at 19, simply 'to help'.From the Bangladeshi Youth Forum to founding LegacyWM at his living-room table, this is a story about heritage, identity and what ordinary people can build when they follow their heart and their purpose.LegacyWM - https://legacywm.orgTrigger warning: This episode contains discussion of racism and racist violence, and references to wartime atrocities including sexual violence. Please do take care whilst listening or skip this episode if this could be distressing for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.