TV presenter Alesha Dixon, and One Direction star Zayn Malik, have been revealed as nominees for the upcoming Ethnicity Awards.
Hosted in collaboration with HSBC UK, the annual extravaganza is set to honour the most influential Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities in the UK with a prestigious ceremony, and today, they have released the names of those in with a chance of taking home an award.
Also up for an accolade to celebrate their achievements and work to promote diversity and inclusion, are football legend Rio Ferdinand, and Love Island host Maya Jama. The Ethnicity Awards will certainly be a star-studded affair!
Zayn, 31, has been shortlisted alongside other musicians including Raye, Tinie Tempah and legendary soul divas Gabrielle and Emeli Sande, in the Music Artist category.
For the Celebrity Ally Award, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha, 45, has been selected as a nominee alongside AJ Odudu, Ncuti Gatwa, and Simone Ashley.
TV presenters Maya, 29, Alison Hammond, Charlene White and Asad Ahmad have been recognised in the Broadcaster or Journalist of the Year category while the former editor of British Vogue, Edward Enniful, is nominated for his work in championing causes to promote equality.
Rio, 45, who alongside a major TV career leads a major social mobility charity providing opportunities for young people from racially diverse backgrounds, is nominated for a major Sports Personality award alongside fellow sports stars Denise Lewis and Aston Villa footballer Tyrone Mings.
The winners of their awards will be decided by the public, who can vote online here. Meanwhile, the winners in the business categories will be chosen by a panel of esteemed judges.
They will need to start rehearsing their acceptance speeches soon, just in case, as the ceremony takes place on October 31 in London.
Founder of the Ethnicity Awards, Sarah Garrett MBE, said: ‘I’m delighted that the 2024 Ethnicity Awards are once again supported by HSBC UK as headline partner, and that the awards continue to highlight the people and organisations who are continuing to do good – both publicly and privately – for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities and organisations across the UK.
‘All the individuals and organisations are very deserving of their place on the shortlist. The awards will be a celebration of their achievements and it is going to be another fantastic event.’
The Ethnicity Awards began in 2018, with the purpose of celebrating individuals and organisations that support Black, Asian and diverse Ethnic communities. Music superstar Dionne Warwick, Little Mix singer Leigh Anne Pinnock, Manchester United footballer and social mobility campaigner Marcus Rashford, newsreader Moira Stuart and Labour MP Diane Abbot, are amongst the impressive list of previous winners.
‘The Ethnicity Awards engages those who ensure equality, opportunity and fair treatment for all, regardless of ethnic background. The awards bring together communities, businesses and individuals to support a diverse Britain where everyone feels they can belong,’ the organisers explained.
Garrett MBE originally set up the awards ceremony, after seeing her mother treated as a ‘second-class citizen’.
‘Seeing the adverse reactions of people towards her compounded in me the general feeling of not belonging. Something I longed for, and that would have really mattered to me, was to have some positive representation. I wanted to see people, like members of my family, be celebrated,’ she explained to Metro.co.uk.
‘I knew I needed to help create this change.
‘So, seven years ago, I decided it was time to do something positive – to unite people rather than divide – in the hope that I could dissipate some of the ignorance and negative stereotyping that exists. The Ethnicity Awards was launched as part of my wider initiative.’
The 2023 Ethnicity Awards will announce its winners on October 31
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