HerCapital Stories: the new radio series celebrating multicultural female professionals in Canberra
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Since it graced our airwaves in 1977, Canberra’s only full-time multicultural radio station has long been elevating the voices of the region’s multicultural community by sharing news, music and programs in over 35 languages other than English.
And with the launch of a new radio and podcast series HerCapital Stories, the dedicated volunteer team behind CMS Radio Station is continuing their tradition of sharing the important stories that sometimes go unheard.
Noticing a gap in storytelling around the professional journeys of women from multicultural, migrant, and refugee backgrounds in Canberra and beyond, CMS Radio Station Manager, Joyce Yang, developed HerCapital Stories to showcase their inspiring stories.
She says that her goal is to provide women with a dedicated platform to share their resilience, achievements, and challenges – stories that can inspire the wider community while mentoring younger women to pursue their aspirations.
“We are building a list of incredible women from across sectors; health professionals, community leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and academics,” she says.
“Our launch episode features Dr. Nilofar Ebrahimi, winner of this year’s ACT Multicultural Award for Outstanding Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Ebrahimi is a former Independent Member of Parliament in Afghanistan and currently works as a Community Educator and Health Promotion Officer at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT).”
“She has led transformative programs for Afghan migrants – from driving lessons and swimming classes to cultural workshops and sexual health education – often tackling topics considered taboo. She is also the founder of The ZamZam Foundation, which runs a learn-to-drive pilot program for Afghan women in Canberra.”
Each episode runs for 45 to 60 minutes and will cover topics that range from career progression to cultural identity, resilience, mentorship, gender equality, leadership, and work–life balance.
Also touching on racism, motherhood, discrimination, and systemic challenges, Joyce says HerCapital Stories will highlight how each woman overcame these to thrive in their careers.
“We want listeners to leave each episode feeling inspired, informed, and connected. Younger women should gain tangible career insights, the broader community should better appreciate multicultural women’s contributions, and workplaces should feel encouraged to foster greater inclusivity,” she explains.
Joyce sees HerCapital Stories not just as a media program but as a movement. The weekly series will air on CMS Radio and be available on podcast platforms and YouTube, with a mix of live and pre-recorded interviews.
Each episode follows a guiding framework – touching on the guest’s professional journey, challenges, advice, and impact – while remaining personalised to highlight the unique voice and experiences of each guest. CMS Radio Station is also inviting nominations and referrals for potential interviewees to ensure that voices less represented in mainstream media have a chance to be heard.
Broadcast in English to ensure accessibility and reach across Canberra and Australia, guests nominated must have made significant impact in their fields, have lived experiences shaped by a multicultural heritage/background and a willingness to share their stories openly, offering both challenges and strategies that others can learn from.
But why wait until now to launch HerCapital Stories?
“Canberra is one of Australia’s most multicultural cities – one in three residents was born overseas, and one in four speaks a language other than English at home. Yet women from diverse backgrounds remain underrepresented in leadership and media,” says Joyce.
“At a time of rising demand for authentic, diverse storytelling, HerCapital Stories is both timely and essential. It provides role models, sparks conversations, and strengthens community connections.”
Hoping to resonate with community leaders, employers, and policymakers seeking to better understand and support multicultural women’s contributions, ultimately, Joyce says that it’s a celebration of women who build bridges, break barriers, and shape Canberra’s future.
Listen to CMS Radio on FM 91.1 or stream online at cmsradio.org.au
Feature image: Karen Adam-Baker, CMS Finance Officer; Joyce Yang, CMS Station Manager; Michael Patterson, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Manish Raj, CMS Community Liaison Officer.
