The scores are in – who will be crowned the best of British Diversity?
Able Magazine is, once again, an official media partner with National Diversity Awards. Editor, Tom Jamison has been invited to attend the celebrations in Liverpool and to present one of the disability themed awards. He said: “The National Diversity Awards is one of my favourite events on the calendar. The surroundings of the cathedral and the incredible stories that are shared, always make for a memorable occasion”.
A record breaking 28,000 people nominated this year alone and the results are finally in for the National Diversity Awards (NDA), with an astonishing 126 nominees being recognised for their various achievements nationwide.
Community organisations and role models from across the UK will head to the breathtaking Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 20thSeptember to witness the countries 2019 winners being crowned the best of British diversity.
Amongst those being honoured are a reformed gangster, a Junior Bake Off Star and a host of campaigners and activists, all of whom work tirelessly to combat injustice and discrimination in very different ways.
HSBC, Direct Line Group & MI5 have recently been announced as sponsors of the pioneering awards that have paid tribute to over 700 grass root charities and diversity champions since its inception. Joining the likes of Auto Trader UK & Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, ITV News are also listed amongst a host of companies showcasing their support to recognising diverse talent.
A spokesperson for MI5 said;
“It is MI5’s mission to keep the country safe, and it’s vital that we represent the diverse society we seek to protect. We are at our strongest when we have the richest mix of the best talent, working together in an environment that allows people to thrive. Put simply, our diverse workforce is crucial to our operational successes. We are pleased to be able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to inclusion through our continued support for these awards. They are an important way of recognising and celebrating the good work being done across the country to promote inclusivity, diversity and provide opportunity for all.”
Designed to highlight the country’s most inspirational and selfless people, the NDA’s continue to gain endorsements from high profile figures such as Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry CBE and Graham Norton.
Actress and comedian Sally Phillips will take centre stage on 20th September as the official host of this year’s ceremony. Reflecting on the forthcoming celebrations, Sally said;
“I am delighted to be hosting the 2019 National Diversity Awards. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work and stand out achievements of role models and community groups throughout the UK is a genuine honour for me. Having attended the Awards back in 2016, I experienced this fabulous ceremony first hand and I cannot wait to be back this year celebrating the dedication and commitment of some of the UK’s most luminous and exceptional people.”
Previous winners include actor Warwick Davis, football’s equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out and freedom fighter Abbey Kiwanuka.
Paul Sesay, Founder and CEO of the National Diversity Awards added “An overwhelming amount of nominations and votes were received this year, and I know our judging panel had an incredibly difficult task of whittling down the nominees to create an outstanding shortlist.
So many heartfelt testimonies really showcased how these people and organisations are having a profound impact on the lives of others, and I applaud them for their dedication to each specific cause. Congratulations to all of our shortlisted nominees, it is a privilege to recognise your bravery, resilience and courage and I am honoured to share this with the nation. I look forward to congratulating you in person in September”.
The full list of shortlisted nominees is as follows:
Positive Role Model Age: Aidan Jackson BCyA, Edleen John, Courtney Hughes BEM, Nikki Lilly Christou, Darren Williams, Amanda Knowles MBE, Amani Simpson, Emily White
Positive Role Model Disability: Terence McCorry, Roland Chesters, Ade Adebisi, Molly Watt, Joanne White, Jenni Pettican, Myles Sketchley, Elin Williams
Positive Role Model Gender: Tessa Naran, Kirsty Tate, Mark Williams, Taban Shoresh, Sarah Mullins, Ruth Oshikanlu MBE, Jossy Cambridge-Simmons, Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton
Positive Role Model LGBT: Patrick Ettenes, Zayna Ratty, Michael Newton, Kate Ward, Ellie Lowther, Andrew Dalton, Alan Quick, Marcus Morgan
Positive Role Model Race, Faith Religion: Naga Kandiah, Darryl Laycock, Natasha Koshti-Symons, Martin Gallagher, Ifraah Samatar, Dharmesh Mistry, Abed Hussain, Salma Haidrani
Community Organisation Age: Rising Arts Agency, KIDS Yorkshire, The Hive Youth Zone, Kingsgen Foundation, Alliance Dance Unit, The TIME4ME Project, Paws for Kids, Naz and Matt Foundation
Community Organisation Disability: Deaf Hope, Personal Independence Payment Professionals, Dimobi Children’s Disability Trust, Autism Wessex, The Josephine and Jack Project, ADDvanced Solutions, Spadework, Centre for ADHD & Autism Support
Community Organisation Gender: The Female Lead, Andys Man Club, Love Her Wild, Southall Black Sisters, Inspire Women Oldham, Leeds Dads, A Way Out, Against All Odds Still Standing
Community Organisation LGBT: Hidayah, Angels of Freedom, CliniQ, OutREACH Cumbria, Colours Youth Network, Sparkle, Chester Pride, LGBT+ Northern Social Group
Community Organisation Race, Faith, Religion: The Christian Millionaire Book Club, Gypsy Roma Traveller Police Association, Esther Community Enterprise, Queens Park Community Orchard, Cycle Sisters, Musicians in Exile – The Glasgow Barons, The Black Child Agenda, Taraki
Community Organisation Multi Strand: Jigsaw Family Support, Community Rail Lancashire Ltd, Changing Lives in Harlow CIC, Accessible Arts & Media, L6 Community Association, The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, Cedarcube, Arrive Alive Response
Entrepreneur of Excellence: Jenny McLaughlan, Gavin Neate, Codilia Gapare, Lorna Reeves, Christopher Kenna, Vicki Roskams, Atif Choudhury, Nicola James
Diverse Company: Emovis, South Yorkshire Police, Specsavers, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Dixons Carphone plc, Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, TransPennine Express, The Crown Prosecution Service, Middlesex University London, Welsh Government, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Celebrity of the Year: Paul O’Grady, Stephen Fry, Talia Grant, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Anne Hegerty, Gareth Thomas, Katie Piper, John Barnes, Ellie Simmonds OBE, Raheem Sterling
Lifetime Achiever: Cheryl Robson, Christie Elan-Cane, Dominic Davies, Rodney Hinds, Janet Williams, Thomas Kearney, Andrew Miller, Oyovwe Kighho
Winners will be announced at The National Diversity Awards 2019 on September 20th. Tickets are now on sale here: http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/tickets/
The National Diversity Awards: Founded in 2012 by the Diversity Group, the National Diversity Awards aim to recongised role models and community organisation across various protected characterises including, age, disability, gender, LGBT, race, faith & religion. 662 shortlisted nominees and 109 award winners have had their various achievements showcased though platforms including ITV, BBC and the Huffington Post, leading to increased funding, fundamental collaborations and wider recognition for these vital services.
Paul Sesay: Founder/CEO of The National Diversity Awards, The Excellence in Diversity Awards, The Diversity Group and events company I Spoil U Media since 2006. With over 18 years’ worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations across the globe to increase diversity and inclusion profiles.
www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk | @ndawards
