1. Black youth celebrate their success for the 3rd year running
“It’s been a wonderful celebration. It’s really important to see the positive side of youth and all
the good things that they do. The 3rd annual BYA Awards has once again shown how much talent
we have within our communities” said Kay Oldroyd founder and director of BYA as she summed
up the evening.
On Saturday 19th November 2011, young people from around the UK were honoured at the
ceremony held at Jury’s Inn Hotel in Croydon. They were acknowledged for their outstanding
contributions to society in various industries, challenging the stereotype that black youth are
disengaged and under-achievers.
The BYA Awards were created to provide a platform of recognition for young people between the
ages of 8 – 25 and of black African / black Caribbean heritage nationally.
Over 150 people attended the event including the last year’s winners and special guest Maurice
Reeves who was accompanied by a BBC film crew who were making a documentary of his life since
his shop ‘Reeves Corner’ was burnt to the ground during the August riots. Mr Reeves presented the
sports award saying that he was “delighted to be amongst such wonderful people” and shared his
story of his love for Cricket. He also recognised that attending the awards further supported the fact
that the uprisings of August were not the true face of Croydon’s youth and that the awards were an
encouraging feature of hope for young people.
Now in its 3rd year, the evening was hosted by Mikel Ameen the younger brother of ‘Harry’s Law’
actor Aml Ameen. Mikel kept the audience laughing with his unique style of entertainment and
comedy. Other welcomed presenters included MTV’s Baselounge host Darae Palmer; rapper turned
author Swiss of ‘So Solid’ who commented afterwards that it was “a fantastic, inspiring and much
needed event”; ‘Chinara Events’ director – Carol Stewart; ‘PJ’s Community Group’ directors Claudine
Reid MBE and Pat Reid; UK Diversity Manager at ‘Pearson Plc’ – Abu Bundu-Kamara; Chief-in-Editor
at ‘Inspirational Woman Magazine’ – Lisa Mundembe; Author – Gwenton Sloley and ‘LSTC’ director
Tony Harrison. All agreed that it was a phenomenal celebration and were proud to be part of it.
Following the presentations, there were lively performances from some local upcoming artists. One
of them had recently got through to the London auditions of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Going by the
name of ‘Baddaboom Tee’ she said “I was surprised but really pleased to hear that I’d got through to
the live audition in December. Performing at BYA Awards was a fantastic experience and has given
me the confidence to go in front of a big audience”.
One young guest smiled as he said that he had attended BYA Awards every year and each one had
been as uplifting as the one before. He went on to further explain that he felt today’s society and
media had branded young black people as “hoodies, yobs and asbos” but BYA had proven time after
time that black youths can and do achieve and are not all the stereotypical “street rat”.

2. 2011 BYA Award Winners
Arts – Kyla Frye
Business and Enterprise – Blessing Maregere
Choices – Reiss Todd McCarthy
Community – Kane Solomon Thomas
Education – Orlando Taylor
Father of the Year – Davis J Williams
Mother of the Year – Princess Roberts
Personal Development Organisation of the Year – ‘Born With a GIFT’ – Careeta Robert-Green
Sports – Makissa Gilkes
Technology – Lashai Ben-Salmi
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For further information, images and interviews contact:-
E: admin@blackyouthachievements.org
T: 020 8677 8009
W: www.blackyouthachievements.org
Twitter: @byacic
Facebook: Black Youth Achievements CIC
Notes to editor:
1. BYA (Black Youth Achievements) is a community interest company founded in 2008
2. Their annual awards ceremony takes place every November. Young people between the
ages of 8 -25, of black African / black Caribbean heritage (parent /s) and resident in the UK
are nominated in various categories
3. Each winner has the opportunity to become BYA Ambassadors for the year, working
alongside the organisation and helping to raise the profile of young achievers around the
country and mentoring other young people within their respective winning categories