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Rukhsana Khan is an award-winning author and storyteller. She was born in Lahore, Pakistan and immigrated to Canada at the age of three.

She grew up bullied in a small town and read books to survive.

She has eighteen award-winning books published and more on the way. In 2013, her book BIG RED LOLLIPOP was chosen by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 greatest children’s books in the last 100 years.

She has appeared on television, radio and been featured at festivals around the world.

She lives in Toronto with her husband and family.

Awards

In addition to the awards her books have won, Rukhsana has been recognized with the following:

  • Artist in Library at Fairview Public Library, Toronto Arts Council, 2014
  • Writer in Residence, Toronto District School Board 2013
  • The Award of Excellence from the Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals (CAMP) Toronto chapter, 2008
  • The Communication & Leadership Award from the District 60 branch of Toastmasters, 2004
  • The Literature Award from the Canadian Islamic Congress, 2004

Rukhsana Khan Speaking Topics

Rukhsana has been a public speaker for more than twenty years and has done several workshops on public speaking. She has an incredible ability to project not only her voice, but her personality. Even when she speaks softly, audiences hang onto every word.

Colonization in Western Literature
It started with The Last of the Mohicans, then there was Tarzan, and Lawrence of Arabia–western literature where white male protagonists outdo the natives at their own game. A psychiatrist would say this reveals insecurity. Why do these stories dominate the imagination of white audiences? Why is there a need to conquer and dominate everything they admire in other cultures? How does a native of said culture overcome these tendencies in order to tell authentic stories that reclaim their narratives? It sure aint easy but in this presentation Rukhsana will tackle some of the techniques she uses.
The Art of Engaging the Reluctant Student
Growing up, Rukhsana was anything but a reluctant student, but this was mostly because of the excellent teachers she had. In this presentation she will share the techniques they used and the techniques she herself developed to engage kids of all ages and reawaken the joy of discovery in them.
Developing Strength and Resiliency in our Children
Having overcome a brutal childhood, Rukhsana details the most effective techniques educators used to help her reach her potential. Techniques she in turn uses to engage students of all ages.
Forget About Projecting Your Voice—Project Your Personality
Rukhsana has presented her stories all over the world and has even judged international storytelling festivals. With over twenty years of public speaking experience she discovered that the secret to keeping an audience engaged is not about voice projection, but about projecting your personality to the periphery of the crowd. Let them feel you. Then use voice modulation techniques to carry them on an emotional journey and you will have them in the palm of your hands.
The Key to Diversity, Inclusion and Equity is to Get Past It
What most BIPOC want is a fair shake. That’s it. Being able to share our thoughts and ideas and enrich the dialogue so that the best ideas rise to the surface and everyone benefits. How do you get past your biases? Ignore them, and listen. You might learn something.
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