Assembly x Révolutionnaire: what does being a changemaker mean to you?

Five young changemakers from around the world discuss the importance of education, their inspirations and share advice for other young people who want to make a difference.

Révolutionnaire is a Gen Z-led movement that celebrates diversity and empowers young changemakers with the community, tools, and information needed to make a difference. Founded by sisters Justice Faith and Nia Faith Betty, Révolutionnaire is committed to building a future where every young changemaker can make their voices heard and drive action and impact on the causes they care about. To learn more about Révolutionnaire and join a digital community of changemakers, follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

In this series with Assembly, Revolutionnaire editor, Blaize Exeter, compiled the highlights of each of the five interviews into a revolutionary round up. We are excited to introduce you to some incredible changemakers from the Révolutionnaire community who are making a difference on campuses, in their local communities and beyond.

Meet Aliya Hirji.

Aliya is an 18-year-old Indian-Tanzanian-Canadian currently living in France. She is an intersectional environmentalist in pursuit of a socially inclusive response to the climate crisis through divesting from fossil fuels and equipping marginalized youth with climate resources.

Blaize Exeter: What was your spark, that moment of inspiration that you decided to take action?

Aliya Hirji: As a young person making life-changing decisions, the security of my future is incredibly important to me. When I discovered that my bank, which I entrusted to defend my financial future, was destroying my chance at a climate-safe future I was devastated. While fighting for climate justice through the youth climate strike movement, my money was simultaneously funding the same projects I continuously protested against. My friends and I then grew a youth grassroots organization focused on institutional fossil fuel divestment that is putting pressure on Canadian banks to end their financing of the climate crisis. It was so inspiring to take fear and sadness and turn it into positive action and community.

BE: How do you incorporate your personal experiences into the work that you do?

AH: Becoming an adult has been an uncomfortable process for me. Because of colonialism and lost ancestral knowledge, paying for a genealogy test was the only way to confirm I am Gujarati like my grandparents assumed. It took a long time for me to accept there are parts of me that I will never know, however, there are parts of my ancestors I never noticed that have always been with me. I don’t know much about the specific community I come from, but I feel very connected to the spirit of the Bishnois. 363 Bishnoi community villagers died in 1730 as non-violent defenders of trees as they opposed the destruction of any flora or fauna. The original tree huggers were brown-skinned, spiritual, and peaceful people who faced a lot of conflict but held on strong to their love for the earth.

Environmental work and a community of BIPOC environmentalists have helped me feel closer to the ancestors I lost and the family I never had. I’ve often been told that I am inconveniencing the end goal of environmental justice by constantly bringing up race and culture.

Bringing the colour of my skin to discussions of climate action is not a distraction, but an act of peace and love and inclusion. An act that should be honored. Making mainstream environmentalism intersectional and inclusive is long overdue. Any person who brings their ancestry and culture to the social justice movement should be welcomed with open arms.

Meet Ayonnah Tinsley.

Ayonnah is a 20-year-old advocate for STEM education and creator of the “STEMix” series; a collection of videos that challenge the usual depictions of what is considered to be a STEM topic. She is passionate about science communication and finds joy in discovering innovative and accessible ways to teach STEM. When Ayonnah is not in front of the camera, you can find her exploring the outdoors.

BE: What role do you think education plays in empowering young women, and how does your work align with this belief?

AT: Education plays a huge role in empowering young women. It teaches us new things are possible and allows us to voice our opinions and perspectives inside and outside the classroom.

There are multiple medical conditions and products that have been studied and produced without women in mind, so with an increase in access to education — especially medical education — women are at the forefront of advancing medicine and having a say in what is taught in classrooms.  

My work heavily aligns with this belief: by empowering women, you don’t have to compromise or focus on just one passion, you can combine them and do it all.

BE: How do you use your platform to inspire and empower other women?

AT: I use my platform to inspire women by trying to find other women doing amazing things in science. From sharing content about what IFTHEN does and their amazing STEM ambassadors, to making vector portraits of some of my favorite women in STEM during quarantine. I can definitely see how science content can feel saturated on social media, so I try to amplify the voices of other women find and repost other women who are also redefining how we think of science education so people of all fields can feel seen.

BE: What do you wish more people understood about the cause you champion?

AT: STEM represents more than just the four letters it stands for. I wish that more people understood that technology can drive innovation, if we start thinking of the tech behind some of our favorite issues and begin to think outside of the box (tech with baking, tech with sports, etc), then some really special inventions can come out of this.

Meet Cherise Jackson.

Cherise is a Black, nonbinary filmmaker and cinematographer currently studying at California State University, Long Beach. They use their work as an outlet to express their complex ideas and emotions as well as a space to reflect different identities and perspectives through visual storytelling.

BE: How has your work influenced your perspective on gender equality, and what changes do you hope to see in the future?

CJ: My work has changed and evolved with my own understanding of gender and gender politics. It has for one made me realize how much progress is still needed. I hear still, so often that there are only two genders and that alone tells me that the first step of acknowledging all the gender identities still needs to be checked. With more representation across different platforms, audiences from all over will be more receptive to understanding other perspectives outside of their own. Our world is forever evolving, it’s time our mindsets and laws change for us too.

BE: Who are some women changemakers who have inspired you, and why?

CJ: Sabrina Lasaegue is an absolute force. She’s a 22-year-old Black director who gave me a big look into knowing more about how to make a film set run smoother. Through her work, I have learned that I have a passion for bringing light to the stories and voices of people of color. Jade Fox, is another one of my inspirations. She is a video creator who challenges the societal standards of gender in fashion. She’s made me reflect on how often we as a society assign a gender concept to everything. From her influence, I’ve looked into my own concepts of gender for everything.

Meet Mariama Bah.

Mariama Bah is an Engineering Studies and International Affairs major at Lafayette College from Guinea. She is working toward a community-focused career within the field of agrarian reform that targets climate resiliency.

BE: What role do you think education plays in empowering young women, and how does your work align with this belief?

MB: Neither my grandmother nor my mother had the opportunity to go to school. Their families did not necessarily associate womanhood with education. I grew up hearing about my mother's regret about her lack of education, and her anger at her parents for not allowing her to go to school. Thus the importance of education in for the empoweringment of young women to take control of their lives is something that firmly resonates. 

Education is a basic human right that all women should have access to. The opportunity that I had to get an education does not obfuscate the reality that a long line of women from my family never got an education and that, still, some young women do not have the opportunity I did.

BE: What's one message you want to share with other women who want to make a difference?

MB: Find a way to align your passions with your purpose. The more passionate you are about an issue, the more likely you will be able to find avenues and overcome challenges when it comes to making a difference.

Meet Princess Eze.

Princess Eze is a Neuroscience student at the University of Alberta who aspires to dedicate her life to humanitarism. She is especially passionate about shedding light on the challenges faced by differently abeled individuals specifically in the Black community and hopes to be a role model for young Black girls interested in a career in STEM.

BE: How would you define "changemaking", and what does it mean to you personally?

PE: Changemaking is the intentional effort to bring about positive and meaningful transformations in various aspects of society, at both local and global levels. It involves identifying issues, injustices, or problems, and then taking action to address and resolve them. 

It embodies the idea that each individual has the power to improve the world in their own unique way. It's about recognizing the potential for good that resides within each person and using that potential to drive positive change. 

A sense of responsibility and empathy initiates changemaking, and it isn't limited to grand gestures or monumental achievements; it can manifest in everyday acts of kindness, advocacy, education, and innovation. 

Even the smallest actions can lead to significant and lasting improvements. Changemaking is a way for all of us to leave a legacy of progress and compassion. 

BE: What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to be changemakers?

PE: Here are some pieces of advice to consider on your journey towards making your mark in the world: believe in yourself and have confidence in your abilities.

Recognize that your unique perspective and voice are valuable assets. You deserve to take up space! 

Identify your passion and find a cause or issue that truly resonates with you. This will be your driving force and help you stay committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges. 

Collaborate & embrace diversity by recognizing that creating meaningful change often requires working with others. Including diverse perspectives and ideas leads to better solutions and a broader impact. 

Learn from failure and don't be afraid of setbacks; view them as opportunities for growth. Failure will provide valuable lessons that ultimately contribute to your success. 

Be patient and remember that change often doesn't happen overnight. Realize that your efforts may take time, but they will all be worth it in the end. 

And finally, take care of yourself! Changemaking can be demanding, so make sure to prioritize your well-being and mental health. Remember that being a changemaker is a journey that requires dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to creating a better world. You are already on your way to changing the world, and your passion and actions will inspire others to join you.

These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.