By Sarah Dale
7 October 2024
‘Believe in yourself because you can accomplish so much’ – Abigail Santos
A Grangetown netball club player from Egglescliffe School was amongst the talented young winners at the Black History Youth Awards 2024, run by Taste of Africa North East, which took place at the Leonardo Hotel in Middlesbrough.
Fun and entertainment with friends was the vibe on the evening, as young Black people from across the whole region came together with their elders and the many event sponsors to dance, sing and celebrate, while also receiving prestigious awards for standout achievement.
The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Coming of Age’, which academic excellence award winner and speaker Kia Powell summed up perfectly, when she discussed her determination and success in transforming her “B to D” A-Level grades to As and A-stars.
Her academic success at College saw her win a coveted place at Cambridge University and this year, she graduated with a First-Class Honours degree, making her a true inspiration to those younger people celebrating the awards.
They included Phillipa Sekete, a promising netball player who is just 15 and plays for Grangetown Netball Club – but hopes to play for Great Britain one day.
She picked up one of two Young Sportsperson Awards, recognising her excellence in both athletics and netball, where she also represents Egglescliffe School.
After receiving an award for her sporting achievements this year, Phillipa said: “I feel honoured and proud to be a young Black individual.
“I was a bit shocked and surprised to win the award but I am very grateful.
“It’s been very difficult doing netball six nights a week, with so much training and travelling up and down to Leeds and Manchester – it’s a lot of hard work and effort.”
However, the hard work has certainly paid off and Phillipa adds: “I do it because I enjoy it and I love it – and it’s something that I want to continue doing.
“I’m hoping to play internationally – representing my country is the dream.”
Dassy Adegbuyi also received the Resilience Award on the night after recently coming to England from Nigeria with her Mum, which has been an extremely challenging time for her.
She said of winning: “It just came as a shock to me!”
Now settled into the UK, Dassy hopes to become a TV presenter after “going to university and getting good grades”.
One of the younger award winners on the night included Leighton Kian Gardiner, who, at just eight years old, spotted a potentially dangerous mistake in a book at school concerning how to support someone with diabetes through a hypoglycaemic attack.
His mother is diabetic and a nurse – and through his knowledge, he was able to re-educate the school community on how to act in a potentially life-threatening situation.
He received the ‘Choices’ Award for his courage and determination to seek the truth even in the face of opposition.
“I made a diabetes poster to point out everything that was wrong with the book,” he said.
Peter Jason won the Peer Mentor award for his work running ‘Burning Flames’, a global youth group that empowers young people to discover their purpose and maximise their potential.
The 21-year-old said: “Most young people don’t see the purpose that they carry inside them and my inspiration is to help them and show them there is more to life than whatever you’re going through right now.
“I enjoy seeing people joyful and happy.”
Faith McIlvenna was recognised for being a gifted young artist, whose book review won an award.
She is also a talented artist, musician and excels in ballet.
Faith said: “I’ve just started Year 7 at school and in Year 6 I got to do tons of things like Stockton Book of the Year as I got chosen in my year group with one of my friends for the best written review of a book.
“I have also achieved a distinction in my piano theory exam and a merit in my ballet exam.”
Peace Pullet, who hopes to become a journalist one day was also recognised as a positive role model, for her work creating a Youth Group within her Church.
It is the second year in a row that she has won this award.
“I became a Youth Leader in Church as I saw the need to bring young people within the Church together and make sure nobody was left out,” she said.
“I organise movie nights, drama, singing and it seems like the youth within the Church are now all better connected.”
Other winners on the night, which included sponsors YFT Consult Limited, Durham University, St Aidan’s College Durham University, Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), Middlesbrough Football Club, Unison, Sytner, North Star housing, Teesside University, Olam Care and Cleveland Police, included Enterprise Award winner Funke Sangowawa, which recognised her business success with Funkilicious Cocktails.
Begho Akoko Obale won the STEM Award, recognising her first-class Honours degree in her Masters from the School of Pharmacy at Newcastle University.
Eric Hamelberg was a second young sports award winner, having moved from London to commit to a two-year apprenticeship with Middlesbrough Football Academy.
Prince Kevin Ogoo won the Community Ambassador prize for his work as the head of the Francis Koroma Foundation, advocating for underprivileged children who lack access to education.
Talented photographer and Psychology Masters’ student Nana Kofi Asamoah-Adu won the Excellence in the Arts Award.
And Grace Fashanu was also recognised as another Positive Role Model, having organised a transformative residential retreat for young people in the Scottish Borders.
Guests of the event were also treated to delicious African-inspired food and lots of dancing and singing – with plenty of audience participation!
Abigail Santos, Miss Black History 2024, also took to the stage to make a speech where she encouraged young people to “be the best version of themselves”.
“I take that to everything I do and try to be the best version of myself,” she said.
“Believe in yourself because you can accomplish so much – you can all become so much.”
This echoed academic excellence award winner Kia’s speech about how “anything is possible when you believe in yourself”, after she experienced her careers adviser trying to encourage her to lower her university sights due to her B to D grades – but succeeded in going to Cambridge.
Junior Masandi, trustee of Taste of Africa North East, said: “As we mark 11 years of the Black History Youth Awards, I am reminded of the profound impact this initiative has had, not only on our community, but also on me personally.
“Growing up under the guidance of the Taste of Africa Charity, I was surrounded by a rich legacy of culture, strength and resilience. These awards have always stood as a beacon, illuminating the path for young leaders like myself and countless others.
“Each generation builds on the foundation laid by those who came before, and the Black History Youth Awards have been instrumental in creating a space for young talents to shine, grow, and find their voice.
“Now, as we look to the future, it’s crucial that we continue nurturing the next generation, empowering them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to become the leaders our community needs – because when they succeed, we all succeed.”
www.tasteofafricanortheast.co.uk
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