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#tbsa2025

  • Hilton, Glasgow - 27th Sept 2025 (6:00PM)
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#TBSA2024 Highlights

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Now in its third edition, The Black Scottish Awards is a powerful celebration of excellence, diversity, and achievement within Scotland’s Black community and ally communities.

Created to honour the outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses, and organisations, it shines a light on the voices, stories, and successes that continue to inspire across all fields.

Congratulations to all the winners of The Black Scottish Awards! Your outstanding achievements deserve to be celebrated. We also want to acknowledge the incredible talent and dedication of every nominee. Though not everyone would receive an award, you are all winners in our eyes. Your contributions have made a lasting impact, and we are honoured to recognise your remarkable work.

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We are committed to a fair, transparent, and user-friendly nomination process. While multiple nominations across categories are welcome, please nominate only qualified and deserving candidates, as each submission will be carefully evaluated.

Eligibility: You must reside in Scotland and nominate candidates based in Scotland.

If you believe your work deserves recognition, you are more than welcome to nominate yourself in any of the categories below.

Select an Award Category to nominate

Nomination ends on July 4, 2025

Ally of the Year
Business of Excellence of the Year
Community Organisation
of the Year
Creative of the Year
Diversity Champion of the Year
Outstanding Contribution to the Black Community
Professional Rising Star of the Year
Professional Senior Leader of the Year
Professor
Sir Geoff Palmer
Outstanding Student of the Year
Sportsperson of the Year
Sustainability Champion of the Year
Young Person of the Year

The Amazing 2024 winners

Frama Aboh

Profile
Frama_Aboh-removebg-preview

Professional Senior Leader of the Year

Heather Lydia Mudhari

PROFILE
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Outstanding Contribution to the Black Community

Kishi Aremu

PROFILE
Kishi_Aremu-removebg-preview

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Tehillah Chioma Ikechukwu-Okonkwo

PROFILE
Tehillah_Ikechukwu-Okonkwo-removebg-preview

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Zoe Amanda

PROFILE
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YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR

Joy Kelikume Oziomaaka

PROFILE
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CREATIVE OF THE YEAR

Fatima Ceesay Lopez

PROFILE
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Professor Sir Geoff Palmer Outstanding Student of The Year

Passion4Fusion

PROFILE
Passion4Fusion

COMMUNITY ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Andrew Leaver

PROFILE
Andrew_Leaver

ALLY OF THE YEAR

Helene Rodger

PROFILE
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DIVERSITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Dr Olushola Ajide

PROFILE
Dr_Olushola_Ajide-removebg-preview

Sustainability Champion of the Year Winner

Matugga Distillers

Matugga Distillers (1)

Business of Excellence of the Year

Babatunde Emmanuel Adetutu

PROFILE
Babatunde_Adetutu-removebg-preview

PROFESSIONAL RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Meet our TBSA 2025 sponsors

Headline Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Rspb

2024 roadmap

A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed judging panel, generous sponsors, and invaluable media partners. Your support and expertise were instrumental in making The Black Scottish Awards a resounding success. 

Monday, 18th March
Nominations Begin
The nomination period opens, allowing individuals or organisations to submit their nominations for various award categories.
Monday, 18th March
Thursday, 18th March
Early Bird Ticket Sales Open
Discount ticket sales open to the public.
Thursday, 18th March
Monday, 31st May
Standard Ticket Sales Open
Discount sales ticket closes, and Standard ticket sales begin.
Monday, 31st May
Thursday, 27th June
Nominations Close
The deadline for submitting nominations. After this date, no further nominations will be accepted.
Thursday, 27th June
Thursday, 15th August
Live Judging Session
The judging panel meticulously reviews and evaluates each nomination against pre-determined criteria. Through careful discussion and deliberation, they determine the most deserving finalists in each award category.
Thursday, 15th August
We Are Here
Friday, 30th August
Finalists Announcement Party
Join us for an exclusive party where we will reveal the finalists for each award category at TBSA. This event will bring nominees, judges, sponsors, and key stakeholders together.
Friday, 30th August
Saturday, 31st August
Ticket Sales Close
The deadline for purchasing tickets to the main awards ceremony. After this date, no further ticket sales will be accepted.
Saturday, 31st August
Saturday, 28th September (6:00 PM)
Awards Ceremony
The culmination of the awards event, where the winners in each award category are announced and celebrated.
Saturday, 28th September (6:00 PM)

How The #TBSA2024
Really Went Down

Watch the complete
TBSA EVENT Coverage

As part of The Black Scottish Awards legacy, we are inspired to empower the younger generations and support them towards adulthood in order to continue the tradition of Black Excellence!

LEARN MORE

Red Carpet & Photo Moments

Entertainment & Performances

Raffle Draw for
Charity

Awards &
Recognitions

The Chairman's speech

meet our

2025 Judging Panel

Prof. Sir Geoff Palmer Outstanding Student of the Year Awardee, TBSA 2024

Profile
Fatima-Ceesay-Lopez-350x370-1-1

Fatima Ceesay Lopez

Executive Director, British Basketball Federation

Profile
Kieron-Achara

Kieron Achara

Head of Communications, Sports Scotland

Profile
Kate Mccheyne

Kate McCheyne

Director at HR Hub Plus & Peridot Recruit

Profile
Edward Obi

Edward Obi

Councillor, Westhill & District, Aberdeenshire

Profile
Cllr Fatima Joji

Cllr Fatima Joji

Programme Director, Glasgow City of Science and Innovation

Profile
Susie Mitchell

Dr Susie Mitchell

Creator/Founder, Jambo! Radio Scotland

Profile
George Tah

George Tah

Lord Rector, University of Edinburgh

Profile
Dr.-Debora-Kayembe-2-768x762

Dr. Debora Kayembe

Press & Updates

Our goal is to encourage a nomination process that is open, equitable, and user-friendly for all parties involved. While we appreciate and encourage multiple nominations across various categories, we kindly request that you nominate only qualified and deserving candidates, as our judging panel will carefully assess each submission.
Additionally, we kindly ask that you currently reside in Scotland and limit your nominations to candidates based in Scotland.

Award Categories

This award is open to non-Black individuals powering diversity for the benefit of Black people in Scotland. They need to demonstrate that they are advocates and have stood in the gap for Black people. The individual must be in employment and be doing this amazing work from within their employment.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

    Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

    Nominee's Employment Level

    A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

    How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

    Despite facing greater challenges in accessing funding compared to the general Scottish population, we are witnessing a rise in Black-owned businesses across the country. This award is open to Black-owned businesses currently operating in Scotland and aims to celebrate those that have demonstrated growth or strong potential for expansion.

    More than just business success, this award recognises organisations where employees consider it a great place to work and where the business has a positive social impact within its community.

    Additionally, this award is open to businesses founded by majorly or equally Black individuals who have operated since at least 2000. It seeks to honour businesses that are thriving and making meaningful contributions to their industry and society.

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Is the business you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

      Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

      How many employees does nominee have including directors/owners

      A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

      How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

      As the population of Black people continues to grow in Scotland, we are seeing a rise in community-centred organisation providing various bespoke support to their members. This award is open to any Black-owned community organisation whose sole purpose is to support Black people in Scotland. The award wants to recognise an organisation which is making significant impact in the community and which has shown continuous growth since inception.

      Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
      Is the organisation you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

        Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

        How many employees does nominee have including directors/owners?l

        A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

        How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

        This award is open to any Black individual who is in the creative space including music, arts, fashion, writing etc. The nominee would have achieved noteworthy success in the year in their field and be a role model to younger folks.

        Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
        Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

          Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)


          A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

          How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

          This award is open to any Black individual who is powering diversity for the benefit of Black people living in Scotland. They need to demonstrate that they are advocates and have looked beyond self to ensure Black people continue to get fair opportunities in Scotland. The individual must be in employment and be doing this amazing work from within their employment.

          Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
          Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

            Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

            Nominee's Employment Level

            A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

            How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

            There are thousands of Black students across Scottish universities and colleges with many of them achieving academic excellence. This award is open to individuals in their final year of higher education or who graduated after 2023. The award wants to recognise those who shine above all, those who have achieved academic excellence and also supported their peers and are a major value add to their universities/colleges.

            Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
            Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

              Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

              Nominee's School Year

              A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

              How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

              This award is open to any Black individual who is showing promise early on in their career. They would have achieved some successes which could include a promotion, setting up internal initiatives etc.

              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

                Nominee's Employment Level

                A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                This award is open to any Black individual who has achieved significant success in their career. They would be a leader within their field and be in a senior role within their organisation.

                Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                  Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

                  Nominee's Employment Level

                  A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                  How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                  This award is open to any Black individual within the Black community who has demonstrated a strong track record of uplifting members of the community and acted to contribute to the development of the community. This could be in academics, business, politics, career, sports or any other relevant area. An example or examples of how the individual has demonstrated this will be required in the justification below.

                  Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                  Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                    Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)


                    A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                    How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                    We are seeing an increase in the participation of Black people in sports across the country. This award is open to any Black sportsperson aged 16 or over. The award wants to recognise the sportsperson who has shown exceptionality or who shows future promise based on past and recent performance.

                    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                    Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                      Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

                      Have they won any trophies in their sport?

                      A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                      How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                      This award is open to any Black individual who has demonstrated exceptional initiative and unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability practices. They should have made a significant and measurable impact within their organisation, community, or industry.

                      Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                      Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                        Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

                        Nominee's Employment Level

                        A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                        How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                        This award is open to any young Black person who is between the ages of 11 and 17 years. They should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to society, supporting their peers, and acting as a role model for other young people.This award is open to any young person who is not currently enrolled in a university or at an equivalent educational level. They should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to society, supporting their peers, and acting as a role model for other young people.

                        Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                        Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                          Nominee's Primary Location (City/Town)

                          Nominee's Academic Level

                          A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

                          How did you hear about The Black Scottish Awards?

                          Thank you for your interest in #TBSA2024.
                          The provided form indicates your interest to reach out for the following reasons.

                          • Interested in Tickets for Guests
                          • Interested in Support & Sponsorships
                          • Interested in General Enquiries

                            Chizulum Ifezulike

                            As a University of Strathclyde Economics student, Chizulum is on track for a 1st Class. Due to her commitment to academic excellence, she was recognised as one of the top economics students and recently won 1st place in the Adam Smith's National Student Book Cover Competition. She is using her influence and reach to empower her peers through various initiatives, and tapping into the power of social media to create engaging content to support the younger generations. Chizulum’s incredible story started with being born with hearing loss and dealing with speech impairments. Nevertheless, she has used these challenges as an inspiration and wants every young person out there to know that their situation should never define their destination.

                            LinkedIn

                            Samuel Agbede

                            Samuel says at the core of his advocacy is a desire to see Black people in Scotland access and maximize opportunities in technology. For this reason, he supports existing efforts while pathfinding new ways of engagement where opportunities for Black people are lacking. His advocacy has simply changed the numbers where he works, driving up Black hires significantly. Furthermore, he does a lot of work on retention and promotion including initiating periodic meet-ups at work, which serve as a forum for peer education on broader issues (e.g., sexism and unconscious bias). It ensures Black people have the social intelligence required to thrive in tech spaces. He is also the host of the podcast, ‘Stories That Shape Us’ which spotlights Black excellence.

                            LinkedIn

                            Lydia Balogun-Wilson

                            With over two decades in the energy industry and numerous leadership roles in both operations and engineering, Lydia is a true Leader. She has a passion for mentoring and promoting great talent, especially within the BAME community. Lydia has experienced much success in her career, like promotions and recognitions. She has led large teams including being the first Black female Engineering Manager in bp to lead an organisation of 244 multi-discipline engineers. Beyond career successes, she co-founded a foundation, with the primary purpose of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people including refugees, internally displaced Persons (IDPs), orphans, widows and widowers, and the aged people living in our communities.

                            LinkedIn

                            Chinyanta

                            As a dance artist, Chinyanta was selected as a winner and was invited to film a TED Talk video titled as, “The dazzling diversity of African dance.” She has been commissioned for various projects by Jerwood New Work Fund and Creative Scotland to name a few. Coming from an Engineering background, Chinyanta faced lots of rejections early on in her artistic career. But due to her persistence, she eventually got a break and now creates her own shows, including the one we have enjoyed today. She was crowned Miss Africa Great Britain and was also the candidate to raise the highest amount of funding for charity since the pageant began. She has gone on to use the platform to support a women’s organisation in her home country called ‘Noah Mapalo’.

                            LinkedIn

                            Mukami McCrum MBE

                            She was born and raised in Kenya and has lived most of her life in Scotland. She moved to Scotland in the 70s. She is a proud mother and grandmother whose roots and heritage define her identity.
                            She is a social scientist, teacher and community education and youth development worker. Her career reflects her deep passion for education as a tool for liberation and for resisting and overcoming social, economic and political oppression. She finds social history fascinating and highly values ancient knowledge, beliefs and ways of life of the African people and the spirituality of Indigenous Peoples of the world.
                            Being very shy, what comes naturally to her in a crisis is to be reflective and contemplative and avoid jumping into quick or rapid decisions or solutions. But this has not deterred her from actively participating in campaigns for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and exclusion particularly in the field of race, gender, social class, migration and indigenous peoples’ rights.
                            Her journey has not been without its challenges and she describes the biggest challenge of her life as raising children in a different country with a different culture and system, without the support of her birth family and friends who were very far away.
                            She also had to deal with the loss of her professional status and confront racism, sexism and alienation. In the face of such adversity, she has prevailed due to her resilience, resourcefulness and sheer determination.
                            Here are some of her Achievements which I gathered during my research:

                            • For over 30 years, Mukami has developed and implemented policies to promote gender equality and advocate for women’s rights at the local, national, and international levels.
                            • She has championed women’s rights and equality by initiating discussions to challenge negative attitudes and male violence toward women and girls in Kenya, engaging in national and international campaigns against gender-based violence, and serving on key advisory groups in Scotland and the UK.
                            • She has developed international links and experiences through her engagement with international NGOs, involvement in grant assessment and peace support organisations, and active participation in international conferences and summits.
                            • She is not just a leader; she is a visionary leader and has worked with government officials, members of parliament, and international organisations serving on advisory forums, committees and panels. Her impact can be seen in every project, policy, and partnership she’s been a part of.
                            Profile

                            Dr Adaeze Ifezulike

                            Dr Adaeze is a Lifestyle Medicine professional. After a personal tragedy, which was the loss of her grandfather to complications of diabetes, she made a solemn vow to ensure that no one else would have to endure what he went through. For nearly two decades, Dr Adaeze has demonstrated a significant commitment to improving the health of the Black community in Scotland through the following ways: - Tackling high abortion rates in Black Communities [AND] - Powering mental, emotional and physical health projects

                            LinkedIn

                            Jambo! Radio Scotland

                            Jambo Radio Scotland has become the place to tune in to over the last few years, delivering original content for the Black population of Scotland. From talk shows to music, education to debates, they have become a part of our everyday lives. They were very active in disseminating information during covid and thereby saving lives. In less than 2 years they have grown and created numerous employment opportunities. They have supported many young people to return to formal education. They just concluded a six-week holiday Youth Broadcasting Training for kids aged 10+ to empower the voices of young people and build their communication confidence.

                            LinkedIn

                            Doqaru Limited

                            Doqaru is Scotland's top sales enablement consultancy and thanks to significant growth from 2020 to 2022, Doqaru expect revenues to double by the end of 2023. Founded by Dr Yekemi Otaru and Sarah Downs, their efforts have been recognised with several milestones and awards, including Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Scottish Women's Awards. Doqaru's commitment to social impact is evident through the many initiatives they support including sponsoring the UK energy events and supporting the Gathimba Edwards Foundation for Kenyan children.

                            LinkedIn

                            Panashe Muzambe

                            After never seeing anyone who looked like her play women's rugby in Scotland, Panashe overcame that lack of representation by being someone others could look up to, thereby becoming the first Black player for the national team. She won the Allianz Cup with Exeter Chiefs in her first season with the club. She sat on the young people's sports panel in Scotland, where she was able to become the voice of young people in important rooms and conversations. She is also the head coach of Sidmouth Ladies in Devon and is building her career to propel her into Rugby management after playing. Thus, Panashe is inspiring others that they too cannot only play Rugby but can progress and change what the coaching environment looks like.

                            Profile

                            Carol Anderson

                            After being a group mentor for TSB’s Ignite Programme, which focused on supporting Black and Black mixed heritage colleagues with their personal, professional and career development, Carol was hugely impacted by the experience. This led to her creating an environment and movement concentrating on becoming an intentional ally.

                            Some of her achievements include:

                            • Instigating a succession focus group purely centred on Black talent. It provided Black colleagues the best possible conditions to make sure they are represented as serious contenders with sponsorship on hiring lists [AND]
                            • Training for line managers at all levels in relation to DE&I with a particular spotlight on Black colleagues and their experiences
                            LinkedIn

                            Oluwafunbi Karunwi

                            Oluwafunbi is one of a handful of Black people in the legal profession within Scotland. She was once told by her teachers that she would never become a lawyer. She proved her teacher wrong! She went on to gain a legal internship and was the only intern to secure a two-year trainee solicitor contract immediately after the internship. She is now partway through her traineeship, and we look forward to celebrating with her upon completion. She is an Inclusion and Diversity champion at work, where her role is to research and network with universities, companies and organisations, and find opportunities of collaboration. She has been featured in the Law Society Scotland Journal. She received recognition and a Bravo award for her involvement in a Career ready program. This program seeks to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their confidence and skills.

                            LinkedIn

                            Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor of #TBSA2025.
                            Please fill and submit the form provided.

                              This award is open to non-Black individuals powering diversity for the benefit of Black people in Scotland. They need to demonstrate that they are advocates and have stood in the gap for Black people. The individual must be in employment and be doing this amazing work from within their employment.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to non-Black individuals powering diversity for the benefit of Black people in Scotland. They need to demonstrate that they are advocates and have stood in the gap for Black people. The individual must be in employment and be doing this amazing work from within their employment.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              Despite facing greater challenges in accessing funding compared to the general Scottish population, we are witnessing a rise in Black-owned businesses across the country. This award is open to Black-owned businesses currently operating in Scotland and aims to celebrate those that have demonstrated growth or strong potential for expansion.

                              More than just business success, this award recognises organisations where employees consider it a great place to work and where the business has a positive social impact within its community.

                              Additionally, this award is open to businesses founded by majorly or equally Black individuals who have operated since at least 2022. It seeks to honour businesses that are thriving and making meaningful contributions to their industry and society.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the business you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              As the population of Black people continues to grow in Scotland, we are seeing a rise in community-centred organisation providing various bespoke support to their members. This award is open to any Black-owned community organisation whose sole purpose is to support Black people in Scotland. The award wants to recognise an organisation which is making significant impact in the community and which has shown continuous growth since inception.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the organisation you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any Black individual who is in the creative space including music, arts, fashion, writing etc. The nominee would have achieved noteworthy success in the year in their field and be a role model to younger folks.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any Black individual who is powering diversity for the benefit of Black people living in Scotland. They need to demonstrate that they are advocates and have looked beyond self to ensure Black people continue to get fair opportunities in Scotland. The individual must be in employment and be doing this amazing work from within their employment.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any Black individual within the Black community who has demonstrated a strong track record of uplifting members of the community and acted to contribute to the development of the community. This could be in academics, business, politics, career, sports or any other relevant area. An example or examples of how the individual has demonstrated this will be required in the justification below.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any Black individual who is showing promise early on in their career. They would have achieved some successes which could include a promotion, setting up internal initiatives etc.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award celebrates a Black individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and impact within their profession. They will be in a senior role within their organisation and recognised as a leader in their field not only for their personal success but also for how they uplift others, influence change, and contribute to the growth and excellence of their industry or community.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              There are thousands of Black students across Scottish universities and colleges with many of them achieving academic excellence. This award is open to individuals in their final year of higher education or who graduated after 2023. The award wants to recognise those who shine above all, those who have achieved academic excellence and also supported their peers and are a major value add to their universities/colleges.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              We are seeing an increase in the participation of Black people in sports across the country. This award is open to any Black sportsperson aged 16 or over. The award wants to recognise the sportsperson who has shown exceptionality or who shows future promise based on past and recent performance.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any Black individual who has demonstrated exceptional initiative and unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability practices. They should have made a significant and measurable impact within their organisation, community, or industry.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              This award is open to any young Black person who is between the ages of 11 and 17 years. They should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to society, supporting their peers, and acting as a role model for other young people.This award is open to any young person who is not currently enrolled in a university or at an equivalent educational level. They should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to society, supporting their peers, and acting as a role model for other young people.

                              Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
                              Is the person you are nominating primarily Scotland-based?

                              Frama Aboh

                              In early 2022, Frama spearheaded a bespoke solution to strengthen the pipeline of Black talent in BNY's Edinburgh office by collaborating with Black Professionals United Kingdom, successfully onboarding them and increasing Black employee representation. She organised and led various initiatives, including the "Steps to Success" insight day and BNY’s participation in the #IAmBlack Conference, which resulted in a growing pipeline of Black talent and increased sponsorship of Black community events. By fostering honest conversations, educating colleagues, and building networks, Frama has successfully driven diversity and inclusion efforts within the organisation.

                              LinkedIn

                              Heather Lydia Mudhari

                              In 2019, Heather became the first Black Honorary Consul in Scotland and founded ZIMSCOT to provide essential services to the diaspora. She also launched Zimbabwe House Scotland in 2022 as a cultural and community hub, and in 2024, initiated the Climate Exchange project to promote environmental action. Her advocacy includes being the only Black Head of a Climate Chamber, speaking at high-profile events, and driving community engagement in climate initiatives.

                              LinkedIn

                              Kishi Aremu

                              Kishi assists in coaching young athletes by leading warm-ups, demonstrating drills, and sharing personal experiences to build their skills and resilience. Supporting them in competitions and helping them develop life skills such as leadership and teamwork brings her great joy. She takes pride in inspiring younger athletes, particularly those of African descent, and witnessing them achieve their goals and gain recognition for their efforts.

                              Tehillah Chioma Ikechukwu-Okonkwo

                              This year, Tehilla set a new 100m record at the West Districts with a time of 11.88 seconds, surpassing a long-standing mark from 1981, and also won the Most Successful Athlete award at her club. Her achievements, including a championship best performance in the 200m at the Scottish Nationals, have made her a role model, inspiring younger athletes through her sportsmanship and dedication. Despite facing pressures and injuries, Tehilla has learned to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, maintaining humility and focusing on personal development throughout her athletic journey.

                              Zoe Amanda

                              At the age of 9, Zoe became one of the youngest Black authors in Scotland with her book "Mandy the Panda – The Mystical Adventure," which she launched with a reading event attended by over 100 people. She also founded the "Read with Zoe" book club to encourage a love of reading among children in her community. Her efforts inspire other young people to read and write, and she is currently working on a second book to support coastal children in Ghana.

                              Joy Kelikume Oziomaaka

                              Transitioning from a corporate role at Chevron Nigeria to founding Kelikume Fashion and Styling, Joy encountered numerous challenges, including financial constraints and industry scepticism. Despite these obstacles, her passion for fashion and African heritage led her to success, highlighted by a standout debut at London Fashion Week and winning the Global Talent in Fashion award. This year has seen significant achievements, including a successful online retail launch and a high-profile event in Aberdeen, which have solidified her brand’s presence in the international fashion industry.

                              LinkedIn

                              Fatima Ceesay Lopez

                              During her graduate apprenticeship with the University of Strathclyde and JP Morgan, Fatima has actively promoted tech careers among underrepresented youth and volunteered with initiatives such as Sci4Us and the Code for Good Virtual Hackathon. She also leads BOLD Glasgow, organising events to enhance inclusivity, and has been instrumental in celebrating Black History Month and other diversity initiatives. Her personal journey, marked by overcoming severe physical challenges, has driven her commitment to support and inclusivity in the tech industry.

                              LinkedIn

                              Passion4Fusion

                              Since its founding in 2014, Passion4Fusion has experienced remarkable growth, with staff numbers increasing from 2 to 14. The organisation now supports over 250 children and young people each week across four locations in Edinburgh and assists 25 low-income parents in securing employment. Its weekly men's mental health project, collaborations with various organisations, and efforts to reunite children with their families demonstrate its commitment to empowering diverse ethnic minorities and expanding community support.

                              LinkedIn

                              Andrew Leaver

                              Upon taking on the role of leading the Talent Acquisition team at CRL in November 2021, a significant diversity gap and a limited focus on DE&I, particularly in terms of inclusivity, were observed. Collaborating with Enoch and BPS, funding was secured for initiatives such as BIAS Awareness training, leading to an increase in Black representation from 3 to 21 employees and the creation of the African Ancestry ERG in Edinburgh. Moving into a regional position, the goal is to extend these initiatives across all 13 CRL sites.

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                              Helene Rodger

                              Helene's leadership is centred on serving the Black and brown community in Scotland by creating inclusive spaces, organising cultural events, and advocating for systemic change. Her key successes include engaging with the Scottish Parliament and 10 Downing Street, reuniting families from the care system, and supporting young people in STEM to achieve national awards. Helene builds relationships with non-Black allies through collaborations with Iriss, The Promise, and Lloyds Banking Group to drive impactful change and enhance support for diverse communities.

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                              Olushola Ajide

                              Olushola's passion for sustainability was ignited in Ajegunle, Lagos, where early encounters with nature and environmental degradation shaped his commitment. Observing the severe impacts of oil exploitation in the Niger Delta and engaging with the Nigerian Environmental Society, he established the NESUK chapter and advocated for sustainable practices in major projects such as the Aberdeen South Harbour. His leadership and advocacy in sustainability have inspired others through personal example, educational initiatives, and collaborative projects, resulting in significant community impact and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

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                              Babatunde Emmanuel Adetutu

                              In two years with the NHS board, Babatunde was promoted three times and led the creation of a pioneering rural credentials programme endorsed by the Scottish government. As HR team lead, he reduced hospital waiting lists by 15% through rapid international doctor recruitment. Babatunde also founded Glow Impact CIC to train disadvantaged youth in digital skills and created a mentorship platform for over 5,200 immigrants, reflecting his commitment to empowering individuals and communities.

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