Four Years Strong: Evolving with Purpose and Community at Our Core
When we started Thousand&One in 2021, we were rooted in place – local networks, local challenges, and local energy. But change moves quickly.
Within our first year, we both moved countries. Our community stretched across time zones. The lines between the local and the global began to blur, and so did our work.
But it wasn’t just our personal lives that began to change. As two Middle Eastern women, the state of our world often leaves us with heavy hearts, and so, what began as an initiative focused on the career journeys of Women of Colour started to shift.
As we celebrate our four years, we feel it's imperative that our vision and mission also respond to the world's calling for change.
Cofounders, Zahra Khosroshahi on the left, with her sister Hanieh on the right wearing shirts that say “Women. Life. Freedom” in Persian.
So, Why the Change?
Genocide and displacement across the SWANA region. Climate catastrophes. The rise of fascism. Attacks on LGBTQ+ lives. The rollback of women’s rights that generations fought for. These are not distant issues, they shape the daily lives and futures of the communities we work with and belong to.
Thousand&One was born out of frustrations with systems not designed with us in mind. But these systems have never just impacted us at work. As the world shifts, so does our commitment to meet our community where they are, and to evolve in ways that honour what they’re carrying, both in their personal and professional lives, and everywhere in between.
As Thousand&One evolves and grows, we are choosing to be more bold, more radical, and more aligned with the communities we serve, and the causes we believe in and fight for, through feminist and decolonial perspectives.
But, Our Foundation Remains Unchanged
Our values, desired impact, and community-led approach remain steady. They’ve guided us through change, and they continue to anchor us as we grow.
We believe another world is possible, and we’re building it one story, one connection, one act of courage at a time. And so, Thousand&One is committed to:
Creating spaces that centre healing, reflection, and restoration, not just productivity or progression
Designing with the full complexity of Women of Colour in mind, across identities, experiences, and geographies
Rooting our work in sustainability, community wisdom, and mutual care
Collaborating with existing movements and infrastructures instead of always building from scratch
Making care, creativity, and collective action the backbone of every decision
“As Thousand&One evolves and grows, we are choosing to be more bold, more radical, and more aligned with the communities we serve, and the causes we believe in and fight for, through feminist and decolonial perspectives.”
What’s Next?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: where our community leads, we’ll follow. Thousand&One will continue to cultivate radical, brave, and transformative spaces for Women of Colour and allies that centre community, healing, and growth, providing them with access to bespoke tools and tailored programs that foster self and collective care.
Our offerings – quarterly meetups, community events, and workshops will continue to focus on centering the lived experience and expertise of Women of Colour. But our approach is now more holistic and decolonial, one that acknowledges the full spectrum of intersections, challenges, and needs that shape our lives and futures.
And so as we look ahead, we will ensure that how we show up creatively and strategically reflects our commitment to shaping futures grounded in care, solidarity, and action. We’re grateful to have you with us on this journey.