Charities and role models from across the UK will gather at Liverpool’s breath-taking Anglican Cathedral on September 16th 2016 for The National Diversity Awards.

The Best of British Diversity will celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have demonstrated their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in today’s society.

Over 20,000 nominations and votes were received this year, paying tribute to grassroot communities nationwide.

The prestigious black tie event is definitely one to mark down on your calendar and provides recognition for excellence regardless of race, faith, religion, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture.

Microsoft are just one of the brands supporting a host of diversity talent alongside Adidas, Financial Ombudsman Service, Kier, PwC, MI5, GCHQ, MI6, ThoughtWorks, Direct Line Group, Transport for London, ITV, The Open University, The Voice Newspaper, Disability Rights UK, DIVA and Able Magazine.

A spokesperson for Adidas commented, “Our objective is to have a workforce that is as diverse in its make up as our consumers in the marketplace. Showing commitment, providing support, being real, and partnering with authentic partners like The National Diversity Awards will stand us in good stead to achieve this.”

Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s are supported by the likes of Stephen Fry, Adam Hills and Sir Lenny Henry amongst many.

Previous winners include Huddersfield based disability theatre group, Shabang!, freedom fighting refugee Aderonke Apata, and Foster Focus founder, Luke Rodgers.

Internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Rachel Gadsden looked back on winning the positive role model award in 2013 saying “It truly was a tremendously uplifting emotional evening and I don’t think there was a single person in the room who would disagree with that! The evening represented everything that is good about our society”.

Rachel received the award for battling successfully against a potentially life limiting illness to produce works of art that are appreciated worldwide.

She continued “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating an exceptional night, the challenges ahead are still enormous, but with the ND award in my hand, I will journey forward with renewed hope and ambition to try to do so much more, and in my efforts. Hopefully I will, in some way, contribute to making the vital cultural shift within our society.”

CEO of The National Diversity Awards, Paul Sesay, recently founded the groundbreaking BEAM Awards, set to air on ITV later this year to promote the achievements of influential public figures from BAME backgrounds.

Paul commented, “The quality of nominations exceeds my expectations every year. This year was no exception with a host of inspirational role models and community organisations nominated across the country. Those shortlisted should be extremely proud, you truly are all winners and I wish each and every one of you the very best of luck.”

The NDA Judging Panel recently deliberated and came to a decision regarding the final shortlist with nominations in the disability categories as follows: 

Positive Role Model Disability: Adam Black, Chloe Tear, Chris Slater, Aston Avery, Bryan Chandler, Dianne Campbell, Austin Hughes, Rachel Lambert

Community Organisation Disability: Together! 2012 CIC, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Disability Equality (nw) Ltd, The Liverpool Signing Choir, SWAN – Scottish Women’s Autism Network, The Shadowlight Artists, Amici Dance Theatre Company, Headspace 

Able Magazine editor, Tom Jamison, who will be presenting one of the awards on the night said: “I’m thrilled that Able Magazine is once again involved as a media sponsor with the NDA’s. I always look forward to the awards since it’s always such a positive event with so many good news stories to enjoy. The world can be a tough place for disabled people at times and it’s important that the NDA’s help to share our mission of showcasing ‘What disabled people can do, not what they can’t’.

Winners will be announced at The National Diversity Awards 2016 on September 16th. Tickets are now on sale via: http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/tickets/