The Ethnicity Awards, held in partnership with HSBC UK, has revealed 2023’s most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK for their achievements and work to promote diversity and inclusion.
The Ethnicity Awards was hosted for a second consecutive year by Loose Women star, Judi Love, and attended by celebrities and corporate diversity champions. They included influential business leaders and politicians to honour those driving change and inspiring others in London’s Mayfair on Thursday evening (2nd November). Celebrities included the likes of Love Island pair Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, Dawn Butler MP, Dr. Ranj and TikTok sensation Sabrina Bahsoon, better known as ‘Tube Girl’.
CELEBRATING ROLE MODELS
TV personality, author and DJ, Gok Wan, was presented with the Role Model Award in touching scenes at theEthnicity Awards. The How To Look Good Naked’s presenter, led the winners, for his career spanning over two decades in the public eye, using his platform to inspire and educate millions of viewers.
Fashion legend Ozwald Boateng won the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Rita Ora was awarded Music Artist of the Year following public voting. Diary of a CEOs Steven Bartlett was named Inspirational Public Figure. Big Brother host AJ Odudu lifted Presenter of the Year, and former football star and TV pundit Eni Aluko was recognised as Sports Personality of the Year. Swimming champion Michael Gunning gave out the Social Impact prize to the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers.
Frances Alagiah, wife of late BBC News presenter, George Alagiah, collected a posthumous Services To Journalism award on behalf of her husband, who passed away from bowel cancer in July.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The Ethnicity Awards celebrates the individuals and organisations working to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. They acknowledge milestones in business, media, politics and grassroots activism. In recent years, Sir Lenny Henry, Alison Hammond, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Alex Scott and Marcus Rashford have collected prizes at the awards.
“The 2023 Ethnicity Awards once again celebrates the Black and Ethnic Minority people who are using their platforms to make a difference and promote equality for all,” stated Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE. “Every single person who was nominated this evening deserves to be recognised. Their achievements highlight exactly why the Ethnicity Awards remains as important as ever. It was a wonderful night and a true honour to recognise national treasures such as Gok Wan and Ozwald Boateng and trailblazers such as Steven Bartlett, AJ Odudu and Eni Aluko.”
Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, official partner of the Ethnicity Awards, added: “HSBC UK is incredibly proud to be a long-time partner of the Investing in Ethnicity Awards, recognising people and organisations making a positive impact on diversity, equity and inclusion across the UK. Within our own organisation, we continue to take action to increase representation, remove barriers and help open up opportunities for all our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Congratulations to all the incredible role models and change makers who were nominated this year.”
2023’s ETHNICITY AWARD WINNERS
The full list of 2023’s Ethnicity Awards winners, include:
- Posthumous Award for Services to Journalism: George Alagiah
- Future Leader: Cecilia Adjei-Sarpong
- Charity or Community Initiative: EVR
- Inspirational Leader: Oli O’Donoghue
- Media Moment (joint winner): Netflix’s ‘Queen Charlotte and BBC’s ‘Dreaming Whilst Black’
- Role Model: Gok Wan
- Exceptional Inclusion: Nicole Williams
- Online Influencer: Miah Carter
- Champion Ally: Honey Kirtley
- Inspirational Public Figure: Steven Bartlett
- Network Group or ERG: BT Ethnic Diversity Network
- Outstanding Contribution to Communities: Heela Yoon
- Workplace Hero: Seleeta Watson
- Presenter, Journalist or Host: AJ Odudu
- Social Impact: Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers
- Public Service or Campaigner: Harnaam Kaur
- Outstanding Employer: KPMG
- Sports Personality: Eni Aluko
- Music Artist: Rita Ora
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Ozwald Boateng
You can check out all the finalists of 2023 here.
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