This past weekend the BYA (Black Youth Achievement) Awards ceremony took place in East London.

Check out the winners list  below.

Business & Enterprise 

Jaan Field-Pellew

Choices 

Mario King

Community 

Rasheed Ige

Education –

Chidi Amadi

International Champion 

Charles Chavi

Literary Arts 

Devon Toppin

Performing Arts 

Jordan Benjamin

Visual Arts 

Bridge Media

Resilience 

Shantel Morris

Sports

Darhys Nugent

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)

Toks Ogusanya

Father of the Year 

Fredi Nwaka

Mother of the Year 

Sabrina Ben Salmi

Youth Organisation of the Year 

100 BMOL (Black Men of London)

BYA host Adam Deacon (centre) with guests

Actor Adam Deacon turned up and hosted this inspirational, SMART DRESS event wearing a Raiders cap, Raiders jacket (both circa 1992), jeans and trainers. What was that all about? Did he just assume that because this was a ceremony honouring black youth, that there was no need to make an effort?

Also I said this before and I will say it again, the host of this particular event should have been a respected figure from the black community. He/she should have been a physical representation of those who were being honoured.

This year’s choice of host still confuses me. Apprentice winner and successful businessman Tim Campbell should host next year’s event.

Singing group / BYA patrons Rough Copy with organisers.

Congratulations to the winners and keep up the good work!