Celebrating Pre-Eminent Black Britons at Boisdale of Canary Wharf
On Tuesday 17 October, pre-eminent Black Britons were celebrated at Boisdale of Canary Wharf for their outstanding contributions to the cultural and economic development of the UK. Hosted by ITV broadcaster Charlene White and Eddie Nestor MBE, the spectacular evening was part of the Black Excellence Awards (BEA) initiative, organised by Boisdale in partnership with The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and their Black Business Association (BBA).
The event was co-produced by Janelle Raeburn of Jay Rae Productions and Paula Powell of Sphere Hospitality. Among the attendees was Whoopi Goldberg, who joined the event by video from New York and spoke to the audience from the plasma screens. “I’m really fond of Boisdale, I’m really depressed I can’t be with you, because I think celebrating the contribution of our community is really an amazingly great endeavour,” she said.
The awards recognised luminaries from a vast cross-section of industries, professions, and vocations, with award winners including David Harewood OBE, Vanessa Kingori OBE, Omar Lye Fook MBE, Jazzie B OBE, Linford Christie OBE, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Bernadine Evaristo OBE, Neequaya ‘Dreph’ Dsane, Izzy Obeng, Nathaniel Peat, Marcia Willis Stewart KC (Hon), Hilary Mwela of Hil St. Soul, and Martine Rose.
Menelik Shillingford of the BBA said: “We are proud to collaborate with the Boisdale Group to host these awards that celebrate the inspirational contribution of the Black British community to the UK.” Ranald Macdonald, Founder of Boisdale, also commented: “It was an incredibly special evening of acknowledgment, joy, and friendship and is now fully established as the highpoint of the Boisdale calendar.”
The Black Excellence Awards is the result of a collaborative effort between Boisdale and the LCCI, and returns for its second year in 2023. The nominees are determined by the organising committee and winners are selected by an independent panel of judges. Sponsorship of BEA 2024 award categories is open to businesses and media partners for negotiation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.