BIPOC journalists across Canada, to provide mentorship between students and racialized journalists in the field. Nouser said she believes it’s important to have spaces like these on campus to facilitate community and growth among her peers. Nouser’s desire to represent racialized students not only extends to her involvement in academic groups but her perspective on the world of business. “I want people to see a Muslim woman succeeding and going after her goals,” she said. At the beginning of the 2019 fall semester, Nouser’s brand was selected to represent Ryerson’s Creative Innovation Studio Fashion Zone. As a space designed to support creators at Ryerson, the Creative Innovation Studio provides mentorship, resources and a place for students to design and create. Fashion is one of the key four hubs. Nouser’s selection to represent this portion of the studio was a feat that made her reflect on both the growth of her company as well as her personal growth.
“THERE’S NOTHING ELSE I’D RATHER BE DOING,”
“When the founders picked me and my brand and another out of a hundred different brands to represent them, somebody from Ryerson said ‘What made you want to do this?’ and I just flashed back to the time I was severely bullied in middle school,” said Nouser. “I was well developed, I was taller than everybody, curvier than everybody, and I told myself that I want to be that person that 11-year-old Mariam would be really proud of. I had never imagined in a million years that I would be doing what I do.” Although Nouser is busy with her business and academic ventures, she isn’t intimidated by all the work that it takes. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing,” she said.
FEATURE | SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
As her phone screen continued to illuminate with notifications, Nouser switched it off, took a sip of her orange juice and flew off to her next meeting.
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