UK’s National Diversity Awards Announce Finalists

The UK’s National Diversity Awards (NDA) have announced this year’s finalists recognised for their achievements in the diversity and inclusion space nationwide. 

Around 126 finalists have been selected from a whopping 60,000 nominations this year. Amongst those being honoured are charities, campaigners and activists; all of whom work tirelessly to combat injustice and discrimination in very different ways. “Creating this shortlist was extremely difficult due to the vast amount of invaluable work being carried out by nominees,” admitted Paul Sesay, Founder and CEO of the National Diversity Awards. “The UK has truly embraced the spirit of The National Diversity Awards by uniting through adversity to create a host of incredible initiatives. The profound impact made by all our nominees is astonishing; and I feel personally encouraged to know that so many lives are being changed for the better due to the many causes being championed by all of you.” 

During challenging times, “it is now more important than ever to recognise our nation’s unsung role models”, added Sesay. “This year marks our 10 year anniversary and I am honoured to share this special time with so many phenomenal role models and community groups. After weeks of deliberating and thousands of heartfelt testimonials later, I am delighted to finally present to you the best of British Diversity. Congratulations to all of our shortlisted nominees. It is an honour to recognise your fearlessness, resilience and humanitarian efforts with the rest of the world. Let’s continue the fight for justice, unity and equality for all”.

CELEBRATING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS

Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s continue to gain endorsements from high profile figures such as Sir Lenny Henry CBE and Graham Norton. Activist Katie Piper, Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano and Paralympic Gold Medallist Danny Crates were on this year’s judging panel, dedicating their time to help choose the highly anticipated shortlist. 

“I am so proud to be on the judging panel for the National Diversity Awards. In what has been a tough year for many, I am so pleased these awards create and celebrate a new generation of positive role models,” stated Piper. “As a campaigner myself, I will love reading about the excellent achievements of grass-root communities which tackle the issues in today’s society with sheer dedication. I can’t wait to honour thesecharities, role models and community heroes who will have shown outstanding commitment to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.”

This year’s sponsors and supporters include ITV, NielsenIQ, Kantar, The Avast Foundation and Auto Trader. “We are pleased that ITV News will once again be supporting the National Diversity Awards,” commented Rachel Corp, Acting Editor, ITV News. “ITV News remains committed to telling the stories of those, who through their work and dedication to helping others have made a difference; enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in our society. We look forward to introducing the 2021 nominees to our viewers across the regions and nation.”

SHORTLISTED FINALISTS

The full list of shortlisted finalists include:

Positive Role Model: Age 

• Alison Knowles
• Jack Dinsley
• Kira Henry
• Dean Leake
• Andrea-Leigh Melrose
• Anthony Olaseinde
• Prakash Radhakrishnan
• Nikhwat Marawat

Positive Role Model: Disability 

• Matt Hampson
• Carmela Chillery-Watson
• Abbie Hills, Kelly Given
• Kerry Thompson
• Katie Berrill
• Dermot Devlin
• Tegan Vincent-Cooke

Positive Role Model: Gender 

• Annie Gibbs
• Billie Sequeira
• Dawinder Bansal
• Frances Scott
• Maryyum Mehmood
• Rabina Khan
• Robert Cryer
• Rhiane Fatinikun

Positive Role Model: LGBT 

• Quinn Brown
• Lanre Larry
• Karen Squillino
• Chloe Davies
• Keith Winestein
• Amy Tapping
• Ben Kaye
• Cinzia Musio

Positive Role Model Race: Faith/Religion 

• Tasnim Nazeer
• Vanese Maddix
• Micah Mclean
• Jayne Ozanne
• Juliet Bremmer
• Amira Patel
• Darren Raymond
• Giuliana Wheater

Community Organisation: Age 

• Pure Mental NI
• b:friend
• Amberleigh Care
• The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
• Reach Up Youth
• New Ground Creations
• True Colours Theatre
• Academy Achievers

Community Organisation: Disability 

• PDA Society
• MS Together
• Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association
• Indepen-dance
• PCPLD Network – Palliative Care for People with Learning Disabilities
• SPACE Hertfordshire
• Tourette Scotland
• CASPA (Children On The Autistic Spectrum Parents Association)

Community Organisation: Gender 

• InnovateHer
• Project GIVE
• Sean’s Place
• Social Justice Lass
• WAVES Counselling Project
• IIW (Inspiring Indian Women)
• G(end)er Swap
• Mums United

Community Organisation: LGBT 

• Yorkshire MESMAC
• Be Yourself at Vibe
• Pride in Belper
• Script Sirens
• Time for Inclusive Education
• The Outside Project
• Typhoons RUFC
• LesFlicks

Community Organisation: Race, Faith, Religion 

• Anti Racist Cumbria
• Refugee Women Connect
• Chronically Brown
• Bad Form
• Bristol Refugee Rights
• Panda Anti-Racism Team
• NotYourWife
• Black Lives in Music

Community Organisation: Multi-Strand 

• Guiding Hands
• TramShed
• Acts of Kindness Community (Solent)
• Butterflies Bereavement Support
• The Cottage Family Centre
• Salaam Peace
• Care Merseyside
• Changing Lives Community Services

Entrepreneur of Excellence 

• Alice Hendy
• Jem Collins
• Am Golhar
• Daniel May
• Fraser Fleming
• Keely Cat-Wells
• Gill Springgay
• Lynn McCann

Diverse Company 

• MSD UK
• Avon & Somerset Police
• Momentum Worldwide
• OVO
• Citizens Advice
• University Hospitals Birmingham
• South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
• Kantar

Celebrity of the Year 

• Raheem Sterling
• Rebecca Ferguson
• Harvey Price
• Ashley Banjo
• Jessica Kellgren-Fozzard
• Marcus Rashford MBE
• Vick Hope, Shayne Ward
• Natalie Phillips
• Mark Lane
• Ria Hebden
• Lewis Hamilton

Lifetime Achiever

• Paul Martin OBE
• Sherita Mandongwe
• Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE
• Amanda Knowles MBE,
• Anthony Griffin
• Ian Thomas CBE
• Edi Smockum
• Vidar Hjardeng MBE

The winners will be announced at the 2021 National Diversity Awards on 4th February 2022 at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Click here for more information about the event.

The 2021 Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) Awards has extended the deadline for nominations to 6th August 2021, so there’s still time to enter if you haven’t already.