Black History Month

MICHAEL WALLACE OF KICKOFF@3 AND SAMUEL OF HOPE FC INSPIRE YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The 31st of October was a day of celebration, growth, and recognition as two renowned organisations, KickOff@3 led by Michael Wallace and his team, and Hope FC steered by Roger Samuels, joined forces for an event that will resonate in the hearts of many for years to come.

The event was held at The Sapphire Hotel, Croydon and saw a multitude of guests gather in support of an amazing, youth-led occasion. The event was centred around empowering our future leaders. It was co-hosted by Rhiann O’Connor (social media lead for KickOff@3), Tray-Sean Ben Salmi, Yasmine Ben Salmi, Paolo Ben Salmi and Amire Ben Salmi (a successful family of youth advocates and published authors). The awards night was a testament to the vision that young people should not only be given the space to lead but also the opportunity to spread their wings and take ownership of their paths. In line with the celebration of Black History Month, the event also aimed to highlight and celebrate the achievements and talents of young black individuals.

The collaboration was a grand success, with a turnout that far exceeded expectations, a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by both organisations. It was a day filled with vibrant discussions, all geared towards fostering leadership skills and nurturing talent among the youth.

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners of the various categories, held during the event. Their hard work, talent, and brilliance shone brightly, and they truly deserved their victories. This event served as a platform for them to showcase their abilities, and they seized it with passion and determination.

Michael Wallace of Kickoff@3 commented, "Today was a testament to the incredible potential that resides within our youth. Their talent shone brightly, and we are proud to have been a part of this journey. We look forward to seeing how these young leaders will shape the future."

Echoing these sentiments, Roger Samuels of Hope FC added, "This collaboration was about more than just an event; it was about empowering our future leaders, celebrating Black History Month, and recognizing the amazing talent within our community. Seeing the success of this event, we are more committed than ever to continue our work."

The success of this collaboration between Kickoff@3 and Hope FC demonstrates the power of unity and the importance of providing platforms for young people to express themselves, grow, and lead. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's remember the potential in our youth and continue to invest in their development.

The winners were:

Young Author of the Year - Amire Ben Salmi
Young Inspirational Person of the Year - Tyrese Paris Smith, Inspiron, Vanessa Sam
Young Leader of the Year - Giovanni Pink, La’rae and Joshua Arfiena
Entrepreneur of the Year – Inyanne Tamijarassane (Founder of Yarnee Clothing), Zawadi Nathan brown
Youth Project of the Year - Blacks Can’t Swim Documentary Series (Ed Accura - Producer)
Sports Team of the Year - Boys in Orange, Team Hope FC
Outstanding Contribution to the Community - A2ndvoice
Rising Star - Rhiann O’Connor
Content Creator of the Year - Savia Rocks (Award Winning Writer & Professional Photographer)
Artist of the Year - Boy Sayso
Young Inspirational Female of the Year - Leshai Ben Salmi
Campaigning and Advocacy Award - Elevated Minds (Doreen Sinclair)
Arts and Culture Award - Popup Runway (Sheromie Brewster)