BIRMINGHAM ENTREPRENEUR FIGHTING FOR FAIR PAY FOR BLACK MUSIC ARTISTS WINS NATIONAL AWARD
The winners were revealed during the black-tie ‘Chapter Five’ ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham recently, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, employers and community leaders from across the country.
In a letter sent to mark the fifth-anniversary Awards, the Prime Minister praised the organisation’s work in celebrating inclusive employers and Black professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders across the UK.
He said the country should respect people’s contribution and give everyone “a fair chance to get on in life,” while stressing the importance of celebrating diverse communities and acknowledging the barriers to opportunity that still exist.
Selected from more than 300 nominations, the 2026 winners were chosen by an independent panel of 20 senior leaders drawn from sectors including law, technology, media, education and healthcare.
The judging process was also supported by five youth judges, reflecting the Black Talent Awards’ commitment to developing future leaders and bringing an intergenerational perspective to the programme.
The Prime Minister said the Black Talent Awards offered a special opportunity to recognise the “remarkable contributions” made by Black professionals across industries, celebrating their talent, dedication and achievements.
He also praised the Awards for inspiring future generations and wished the organisation continued success.
Denise Myers, founder of the Black Talent Awards, said:
“Chapter Five has been a celebration of everything the Black Talent Awards was created to achieve: making exceptional talent visible, recognising genuine impact and giving people the national platform their work deserves.
“Every name on this year’s winners’ list represents skill, leadership, resilience and achievement. These are people and organisations changing workplaces, building businesses, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others.
“The Awards began as a grassroots initiative here in Birmingham and have grown into a national platform that has now recognised 112 winners. That is an important milestone, but the real measure of our impact is what happens after the applause: the connections made, the doors opened and the next generation inspired.
“Our winners are not simply the promise of tomorrow. They are shaping Britain today, and they deserve to be recognised at that scale.
“Chapter Five has allowed us to look back with pride, but it is also the beginning of our next chapter.”
Led by a rousing keynote speech from John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi, OBE – former NBA athlete turned author and recognized as one of HR’s most influential thinkers, John spoke of effective and inclusive leadership, and inspiring others to tackle their toughest challenges – winners were announced across 15 categories, spanning financial services, STEM, education, professional services, media, public services, retail, charity, entrepreneurship and social impact.
Two further honours have also been acknowledged this year: Professor Amos Fatokun of Liverpool John Moores University was presented with the Trailblazer Award, and Aaron White of Key4Life who has received a Certificate of Recognition, while
The 17 new recipients take the number of individuals and organisations recognised by the Black Talent Awards since its launch to 95.
The Black Talent Awards 2026 winners are:
Charity & Change Employee of the Year
Sarah Chitongo
Black Blossom Alliance CIC
Public Sector & Services Employee of the Year
Mark Corbin
West Midlands Combined Authority, Transport for West Midlands
Marketing, Media & Creative Employee of the Year
Joelle Owusu-Sekyere
Penguin Random House
Employee Resource Group of the Year
TUI UK&I
Retail, Leisure & Supply Chain Employee of the Year
Marcus Hunter
Dunelm Plc
Rising Star of the Year
Jessica-Mary Onuoha
Anglia Ruskin University
Professional Services Employee of the Year
Kizzy Augustin
Mishcon de Reya
Small Business of the Year
Sandwell African Caribbean Mental Health Foundation
People & Culture Employee of the Year
Tiger de Souza
Macmillan
Senior Leader of the Year
Dr MaryAnn Ferreux
Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex
Entrepreneur of the Year
Carla Willis-Brown
Syncd:in
Judges said: “The judges were incredibly impressed by your submission, which was brought to life even further during your interview. Your ability to identify barriers and actively overcome them with ingenuity and determination is exceptional. Your talent for spotting opportunities and turning them into commercial success is clear, but what truly sets you apart is your work to ensure Black music artists are properly recognised and receive the royalties they deserve. You demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, ambition, and resilience, underpinned by a strong sense of purpose. The judges were inspired by what you have achieved so far and are excited to see the impact you will continue to make.”
Excellence in Education
The Open University
Social Impact Organisation of the Year
VISION FOR ALL CIC
STEM Employee of the Year
Kwadwo Benko
Microsoft
Financial Services Employee of the Year
Carleen Dussard
Barclays Bank PLC
Special Recognition Award
Aaron White
Key4Life
Trailblazer Award
Professor Amos Fatokun
Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Founded in Birmingham, the Black Talent Awards began as a grassroots initiative to increase the visibility of Black professionals and celebrate achievement across industries, career stages and communities.
Over five years, the Awards have developed into a national platform connecting talent, employers, entrepreneurs, community organisations and future leaders.
Birmingham remained at the heart of the fifth-anniversary celebrations, with the Chapter Five ceremony returning to Edgbaston Stadium.
Entrepreneur, adviser and the BBC’s original The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell MBE continued his support as Black Talent Awards Ambassador for 2026, continuing his support for the platform and its work to inspire future generations.
