20th Achievement Recognition Awards (ARA) honours achievers

The 20th edition of the Achievement Recognition Awards (ARA) organised by Building Blocks Initiative (BBI) with the theme: “BEYOND WINDRUSH 75 - AFRICAN RENAISSANCE” took place in London recently.

Honoured during the Awards were:

  • Lucille Moffatt-Asante, YEGA 2023 WINNER, In recognition of her Creative Enterprising Mind, Determination & Perseverance.
  • Cllr (Dr) Mahamed Hashi, Young Leadership Development Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable acts of selflessness, outstanding professional contribution and political leadership in knowledge transfer, community and youth development support.
  • Oluwatosin Khadijat Adesina, Save the Woman, Community Volunteering Recognition. In recognition of her consistent acts of selflessness and positive contribution to the development of Save the Woman charity, service users, wider Community and the Voluntary Sector.
  • Dr Imambay Kamara, Exemplary Community Lifetime Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her outstanding professional activism on women’s rights, protection from domestic abuse and public education on the harms domestic abuse does to both the victim and the whole family.
  • Cllr Nneka Keazor, Exemplary Political & Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her outstanding professional contribution to political participation and community development.
  • Caroline Namugabi, Professional Leadership Recognition for Community Development & Empowerment. In recognition of her immeasurable positive contribution to Black community economic development and empowerment.
  • Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Professional Leadership Excellence Recognition, In recognition of his immeasurable outstanding professional contribution to leadership excellence in knowledge transfer, Cyber Security, business and community development.
  • Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, Exemplary Diaspora Community & Political Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary community development and political leadership, and also serving as a great inspiration to the Nigerian diaspora communities and beyond.
  • Ony Ikeji, Exemplary Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary professional leadership.
  • Anthony Everest (AREMUORIN), Exemplary Professional Creative Artist of the year. In recognition and appreciation of his immeasurable acts of generousity and exemplary professional leadership contribution to performing arts and the creative industry.
  • Tahira Tofa, YSDNDY, Exemplary Creative Artist of the year. In recognition and appreciation of her boldness, creativity and imaginative thinking in challenging societal norms and stereotypes through creative arts.
  • Tolu Osinderu, CLEVENARD. Outstanding Diaspora Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable outstanding sense of generous professional contribution and commitment to community empowerment and development.
  • Ebony Bain, Braids and Beauty, Entrepreneur of the Year. In recognition of her outstanding professional contribution to personal development and self-economic empowerment.
  • Martin Forde KC. Honorary Exemplary Professional Leadership Recognition in Legal Profession. In recognition of his passion, commitment and immeasurable exemplary personal sacrifice and positive legal professional contribution to fighting for equality, fairness and social justice for all.
  • Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Honorary Exemplary Professional & Community Leadership Recognition in academia and Cyber Security. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary positive professional contribution to academic and community development.
  • Sandra Popoola OBE JP, Honorary Professional and Community Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary sense of civic responsibility, volunteering, and positive professional contribution to the public sector and community development.
  • Kingsley Abrams, Honorary Political and Community Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his decades-long immeasurable exemplary positive contribution to community development, trade union movement and political activism.
  • Nadia Denton, Honorary Professional Leadership Recognition. In Creative Arts and Heritage. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary outstanding positive professional contribution to the creative arts and heritage industry.
  • Peter Akinbowale, Honorary Professional Excellence & Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary outstanding professional leadership excellence in the financial services sector, most especially in Mortgage Brokerage.
  • Arthur Torrington CBE, Honorary Lifetime Achievement Recognition. In appreciation of his immeasurable exemplary outstanding lifetime commitment and dedication to fighting for fairness and social justice for the Windrush generation who answered to the distress call of the motherland Britain for her rebuilding following devastation of the second world war.
  • Aline Ngaoba, Honorary Community Leadership to Volunteering. In recognition and appreciation of her consistent acts of selflessness and positive contribution to the development of Building Blocks Initiative (BBI), Community and the Voluntary Sector for many years.

A lucky winner went away with the mystery BBI ARA AWARDS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 2023 interactive competition trophy while some lucky winners walked away with the raffle prizes which included a donated FREE Night’s Stay at the Hilton London Kensington.

The BBI’s annual Awards has become a much anticipated event within the Black and Minority Ethnic business and social calendar, bringing about community and industrial recognition, professional networking opportunities, social celebration and a spirit of togetherness.

Among dignitaries present were Cllr Michael Situ, the Worshipful Mayor of Southwark accompanied by his deputy, Cllr Naima Ali. Among very important guests were Cllr Joy Laguda former Mayor Newham and her husband; Mrs Yemi Oso, former Mayor Waltham

Forest; Dawn Grant, Black Economics and former award winner; Prince Mike Abiola of the African Voice; Femi Okutubo - Founder of both the GAB Awards and the Trumpet Newspapers; Jennifer Obaseki of the Obasaeki Solicitors; Joy Nichols, Founder and the Chief Executive of former Nichols Employment Agency; representatives of Kato Enterprises, the drinks sponsors; Ayan Ayandosu, (Mr Culture); and Anthony Everest, (AREMUORIN), the performing artist and winner of an award setting the stage alight with some cool live jazzy melodious tuned performance. Aremuorin’s performance was later complemented by a superb act from Aslan Nester making his debut at the ARA Awards.

The Awards returned as a physical event following three years of virtual awards events forced by the COVID-19 lockdown.