We were lucky to catch up with Muhammad Burhan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Muhammad, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents are two of the kindest and most compassionate individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. They instilled in me the importance of empathy and caring for others, which has played an instrumental role in shaping my worldview. Despite our humble beginnings, my father would always go above and beyond to provide for our family. As a result, I learned the value of sacrifice and hard work from a young age. For instance, even though I enjoyed eating chicken or meat with my meals, my parents would often have to make do with a less expensive dish for themselves towards the end of the month due to budget constraints. These experiences have made me resilient and driven to succeed.

As a student in an elite high school in Pakistan, I was granted a glimpse into the lives of the top echelon of society. Through this experience, I was able to witness firsthand how many of my peers’ parents were disengaged, neglectful, and excessively controlling, stifling their children’s growth and stifling their potential. In contrast, my circumstances necessitated that I matured prematurely, shouldering many consequential decisions on my own. I recall one such instance when, against the opposition of my extended family and parents, I opted to enroll myself in the British O-level program in eighth grade, despite the common belief that children from modest backgrounds should not aim for an international education. Undeterred, I boldly declared to my parents that I would achieve straight A’s. Despite enduring severe bullying, which even resulted in a broken arm during my eighth-grade year, I persevered and excelled in the Cambridge University International O-level exams, ultimately graduating at the top of my class. My academic success earned me a full scholarship to attend a high school in Pakistan that was beyond my family’s financial means.

Despite the challenges I face due to my intersectional identities as a queer Pakistani Muslim immigrant, I draw immense strength from my childhood experiences and upbringing, which continue to inform my advocacy for a more inclusive future that addresses the social issues that have affected my upbringing. Becoming financially independent at the age of 15 was a turning point for me and allowed me to provide support to my parents as well. However, it was the scholarships I received, totaling over $250,000 for my four years of education, that made pursuing an American education possible. Today, as a global activist, I have received numerous awards for my work ranging from creative direction to product management to initiating grassroots movements. I attribute much of my success to the freedom I granted myself from a very early age. I cannot fathom living a life restricted by societal and gender norms, which is why I am passionate about advocating for liberation for everyone.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up in Pakistan, I was dismayed by the lack of representation in the media. However, I seized the opportunity to spark dialogue on mainstream platforms about the LGBTQ+ community, becoming one of the first people from Pakistan to receive global acclaim for my creative direction and advocacy efforts. As a vocal champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and sustainability, I have had the honor of speaking at esteemed institutions and news outlets, such as Tufts University and the University of Toronto Trans and Women Center, and Pink News, among others.

In 2015, I embarked on a life-changing journey by co-founding organizations and initiatives centered on grassroots movements related to climate change and women’s empowerment, among others. Despite hailing from a lower-class family in Pakistan, I managed to secure scholarships that allowed me to transition from humble beginnings to attending one of the best private high schools in Pakistan. This path was not easy and I often felt not included and discouraged coming as an outsider into that school. I rememeber, during my first day hearing people talking in English so fluently and looking into my dad’s eye during an Admissions event and saying would I ever be able to speak in English like that. 2 Years later, I gradauted as a top student and a commencement speaker from my school, eventually earning me a scholarship to pursue higher education in the United States as a young scholar at the tender age of 17, where I continued to advocate for climate righte, and LGBTQ rights worldwide.

As a college student, I borrowed a professional camera from my college media center and began sharing my story online, building a network of LGBTQ+ community and activists. My storytelling approach became the foundation for the “Baaghi” project, which means “to rebel.” I utilized creative storytelling and organized seminars to champion the cause, using my personal journey to inspire others to do the same. At a youthful age of 19, I delivered speeches at numerous global conferences, including the Green Allies Conference and the United Nations We the People Film Festival in London, garnering global recognition for my advocacy work.

Today, I serve as a Product Manager and consultant for non-profits and brands on creative strategy and organizing work. I actively participate in community-driven and grassroots-led movements like the Boston Pop-Up Pride and Provincetown Pride Event, where I am a headlining speaker. My unwavering commitment to social advocacy has earned me numerous accolades, including being named as one of the top 50 coolest South Asians in the world, among illustrious figures such as CEOs, Prime Ministers, celebrities, and changemakers. In my professional capacity, I serve as an Engineering Program Manager at Alarm.com, co-founding the company’s sustainability initiative, furthering my pursuit of creating a positive impact.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In today’s social media landscape, the value of an individual is often measured by the number of followers they have, perpetuating a harmful mindset that undermines inclusivity and the promotion of true and underrepresented talent. To combat this, it is critical to address the issue of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bias, which is a growing concern on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The algorithms used by these platforms to personalize user experiences and recommend content are trained on large datasets, which can perpetuate biases and stereotypes. Studies have shown that these biases can lead to underrepresentation and exclusion of marginalized individuals and communities. For example, a study by the Algorithmic Justice League found that facial recognition algorithms have a higher error rate for women of color compared to white men.
To promote inclusivity, it is essential to educate individuals about AI Bias in social media and its potential negative impacts. By increasing awareness of the biases inherent in these algorithms, individuals can take steps to mitigate them and advocate for greater inclusivity. Additionally, taking an intersectional approach to inclusivity is crucial for creating a more equitable and just society.
The intersectionality framework recognizes the interconnectedness of different forms of oppression and the compounding effects they have on individuals with multiple marginalized identities. This means that individuals may face discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, and other factors simultaneously. For marginalized individuals who rely on social media as a platform to express their voices, addressing AI Bias is crucial for creating an inclusive and equitable online environment.
To promote inclusivity, we must recognize that algorithms are a reflection of society and can perpetuate biases and stereotypes. Therefore, we must challenge the notion that the number of followers is a currency to evaluate one’s worth and instead focus on promoting true and underrepresented talent. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and equitable online environment that values diverse voices and experiences.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As a Creative Director, my journey is fueled by the experiences I’ve had throughout my life. Sadly, I have often been subjected to a barrage of discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, constantly being told that I have no right to exist. This sense of isolation and marginalization has served as a catalyst for my creative work, as I endeavor to use my platform to foster greater visibility and resilience for those within the trans and queer communities.

Through my creative output, I aim to make a resounding statement about my existence- to show that I exist with or without the approval of those who would seek to oppress and silence me. My work represents an outlet for me to explore themes of self-love, kindness, and spiritual growth, all while challenging the damaging societal norms and cultural biases that harm women and members of the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.

Ultimately, my mission as a Creative Director is to create work that promotes equity and elevates marginalized voices. I am committed to using my skills and platform to challenge societal expectations and spark dialogue around the critical social issues facing our world today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burhan_rebels/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammad-burhan/