20 questions with public relations consultant Rozan Ahmed
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
God and my mood swings.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“The smartest people in the world know that they know nothing” .
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Irrelevant famous people. I find the forced celebration of the generally mediocre not only unacceptable, but a little disturbing. As a result, I decided to create bougi to reset the balance.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Boredom. And Michael Jackson.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
The guaranteed good health and success of my nearest and dearest.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Some bankers will tell you this crisis was a blessing. Which is why I don’t like banks and why I don’t like some bankers.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Swag”: What I loathe even more is that I still catch myself using this word, despite loathing it.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Human empowerment. I really believe that as humans we need to create. To create requires confidence and this fundamentally comes from a sense of self-belief, pride, education and worth.
With that in mind, I choose to be an ambassador for artistically led capacity-building programs, rather than any ‘aid’ or ‘charity’ based idea. The Africa Yoga project in Kenya is a wonderful example of installing hope amongst young people using physical and mental elevation. It has an inspiring process and creates jobs also.
I love music, fashion, art, and so do my best to advocate for ownership and projection of these skills from a very local perspective, particularly with what’s coming out of the Middle East and Africa.
I also play a strong role in Emmanuel Jal’s We Want Peace campaign, which again focuses on our own responsibilities to do what’s right for our community, to contribute and realize our accountability.
Finally, I’ve supported the work of amfAR for a couple of years now. No cure for HIV makes zero sense to me. I’d like to see an immediate end to this virus while I’m still alive.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I felt an odd sense of betrayal when this mass switch to iPhone happened. I’m a Blackberry girl you see. Always have been. So anyway that was tragic. I now have an iPhone. And a Blackberry. I hate auto correct. And touchscreens.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Diana Ross, Joseph Kony, George Bush, Michelle Rodriguez, Kenneth Cole, Nicki Minaj, Damian Marley, Bill Clinton, Akala, Emmanuel Jal, Fahad Al Saud, Uhuru Kenyatta, Mo Ibrahim, Nas and the ruler of Dubai.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Could I have a spa treatment instead?
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Depends on who’s drinking.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Tea – a good green tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own of course. They’re always a perfect mesh of rowdy elegance, natural cool, socially graceful and general rebellion. I really am blessed to have a network of diverse brilliance when it comes to human beings and so bringing them together is in itself a celebration. Diddy’s parties are always fun, Denise Rich, amfAR, Caroline Chopard too. They all exude this lovely reunion feel, just intimate and comfortable. Musically attentive and beautifully executed.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mother.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Idris Elba.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Nefertiti.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I don’t know much about cars, but I do like jeeps, big sturdy looking ones with tinted windows. If I had to be a vehicle, I’d be one of those.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
That I’d like to become a domestic housewife.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have a mantelpiece. Is that weird?
Rozan Ahmed is a public relations consultant and founder of bougi. She is a co-founder of the Middle East/Africa (MEA) initiative and has worked with many organisations including amFAR, Artists for Peace and the Africa Yoga Project.
Follow her on Twitter @iamRozan
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here: