The (Sold Out) UK African/Afro Caribbean Awards (a one-of-a-kind in the UK
and the Western world)!
The UK African/Afro Caribbean Awards was recently held at the Chelsea Theatre in Central London on Sunday, November 17th, 2024.
This event was a collaborative effort from various African and Afro-Caribbean Muslim organisations to celebrate excellence, achievement, and trailblazing contributions among Black Muslims in UK communities.
The curators – Amina Adwoa Fetuga of Sunlight Life Coaching, Ismael Lea South from The Salam Project, and Jamal Sealey – dedicated themselves to orchestrating an unforgettable evening which was sponsored generously by the Aziz Foundation, the Arabica Institute, and Rabaah Publishing
The event drew a vibrant and diverse crowd, of African and Caribbean heritage
Muslims from various denominations and schools of thought.
As attendees gathered outside, the atmosphere crackled with excitement and anticipation, setting the stage for a truly special occasion.
Inside, the evening unfolded with a bustling bazaar. Stalls showcased exquisite calligraphy artefacts, unique fashion brands, and health products that catered to various interests.
Each booth was designed to entice and inform, with information stalls thoughtfully positioned in front of the main theatre hall, creating a dynamic space for exploration and connection.
Unfortunately, there was a momentary interruption when the fire alarm suddenly blared, prompting a swift evacuation of the theatre. Guests spent approximately 30 minutes outside, awaiting the all-clear, before the event could continue. Despite the brief pause, the atmosphere remained lively and engaging once proceedings resumed.
The hosts for the evening were award-winning spoken word poet and author Muneera Tanya Williams, along with Ali Kamara, a host from Islam Channel TV.
They maintained a high- energy and positive atmosphere throughout the night.
The evening included motivational talks featuring Rakin Niass, Yusuf Ramadan, Fatimah
Haneef and Jennifer Abdullah (Ziyad 4 All). There were also spoken word performances
from Creative Sekeena and Muneera Tanya Williams. Diesel brought the house down with his comedy, leaving the audience in stitches.
The future looks bright for Black Muslims of African and Afro-Caribbean descent in the UK.
THE WINNERS BELOW
- Philanthropist of the Year – Lizzamah Akinlade
- STEM Champion- Barakah Hassan (Sisters In Tech)
- Sports Person of the Year – Zainab Alema (Rugby Player)
- Academic of the Year – Sahra – Isha Muhammad-Jones (ASRA Club)
- Performing Artist of the Year – Muslim Belal
- Business Entrepreneur of the Year – Spencer Fearon
- Media Professional of the Year – Khaleel Muhammad
- Author of the Year – Sekina Yakoub
- Charity of the Year – Ziyad 4 All
- Caterer of the Year – Love’s Kitchen
- Community Activist of the Year – Iman Abdullah
- Women’s Champion of the Year – Anisah Abdullah
I can’t wait to attend next year’s event! It was filmed for the Islam Channel and will be
broadcast in the future.
Business Entrepreneur winner, Spencer Fearon and event host Muneera Tanya Williams
Sportsperson of the Year, Zainab Alema (Premiership Rugby Player)
Jennifer Abdullah of Ziyad 4 All (Charity of the Year award winner)
Guest speaker, Fatimah Haneef (youth leader & a psychotherapy doctor in training)
Event host, Ali Kamara (Islam Channel TV & The Vibe Podcast)
Ashley ‘Muslim Belal’ Chin (won Performing Artist of the Year on the night)
ONCE AGAIN A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 