Our next guest on Retail Therapy is Angel Dixon OAM, a passionate activist for disability inclusion and human rights.

Angel is a two-time international Mercedes Benz Fashion Week model. In 2017 Angel became the first agency-signed model with a physical impairment to feature in a national television campaign.

Since then, she has used her profile to create positive changes towards community attitude, serving as CEO and Board Member at the Attitude Foundation. She was named 2019 Queensland Young Australian of the Year and has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work.

This episode explores:

• Angel's journey as a person with a physical impairment
• Breaking barriers in the modelling industry
• Advocacy for body positivity and inclusivity
• Insights for individuals encountering obstacles in their careers or daily lives due to disabilities
• Areas where society still lacks inclusivity and what can be done to address them
• Inclusivity in retail and the common challenges in making retail spaces more inclusive
• Common misconceptions about disability and strategies for combating them

Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.

Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html

ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we hear from Manisha Amin (she/her), CEO of the Centre for Inclusive Design. Manisha's dedication to innovation and social change has made her a pivotal figure in the realm of inclusivity. With expertise in strategic marketing, communication, and cultural transformation, Manisha illuminates the path toward creating products, services, and policies that truly embrace inclusivity. A thought leader renowned for her ability to think from the edge, Manisha brings a wealth of insights to this episode.

Throughout this episode, we delve into:

• Definition and context of inclusive design
• Manisha's journey to championing inclusive design
• Examples where retail excels, and the areas that need improvement
• Retail initiatives for neurodivergent customers
• Advice for retail leaders on DE&I
• Strategies for small businesses on inclusivity

Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.

Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html

ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we are honoured to welcome Mariam Veiszadeh, CEO of Media Diversity Australia. A trailblazing figure in human rights advocacy, law, authorship, and media commentary, Mariam has left an indelible mark in the fight against racism and xenophobia. Renowned for founding the Islamophobia Register Australia, Mariam's endeavours have earned her recognition, including the esteemed Fairfax Daily Life 2016 Woman of the Year accolade, for her profound impact on fostering positive change in workplaces and society.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mariam's journey from law to becoming a leading anti-racism campaigner
• Personal experiences with racism and Islamophobia as catalysts for advocacy
• Founding the Islamophobia Register Australia and earning accolades for fostering positive change
• Leveraging skills and platforms to combat systemic discrimination
• Intersectionality of identity and its impact on advocacy
• Inspiring listeners to confront injustice and drive positive change

Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.

Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html

ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.