Special award ceremony recognises young people’s achievements
Young Hackney hosted its annual Hackney Youth Awards yesterday to celebrate the achievements of young people from the last year.
The event, which marked its tenth anniversary this year, celebrates young people aged 6 to 19 (or up to 25 SEND) who have been nominated by youth workers, partner organisations and commissioned providers in the borough.
Over 80 nominations were received across nine categories, which were reviewed and shortlisted by an independent panel of young people who supported organising the event, along with Young Hackney staff.
Over 200 guests attended the event, including event nominees and their families. Mayor Woodley opened the evening and was joined by Deputy Mayor Bramble and Cllr Grace Adebayo, who presented awards during the event. The event was also attended by senior members of the council.
The evening was guided by two hosts, Angel Okolo and Noah Schwartz, who are both part of the Hackney Youth Parliament’s leadership team. When asked about how it felt to host the awards, Angel said:
“ I just feel so happy that I was given the opportunity to be on stage. I really enjoyed being able to just grant people the awards (...) they deserve.”
Angel, Host & Hackney Youth Parliament leader
Audience members were treated to two solo singing performances from A1, who wrote and performed an original song, and Max, who was also a runner-up for the Outstanding Volunteer category. When asked about the awards, Max said:
“I feel very grateful for (...) even just being nominated altogether. (...)Thank you for believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself.”
Max, Outstanding Volunteer runner-up and performer
When speaking during the event, Mayor Woodley said:
“ Everybody who's been nominated tonight is a winner. You’ve worked hard to be here, so it's really important to have moments like these that recognise and celebrate you.”
Mayor Caroline Woodley
When closing the event, Deputy Mayor Bramble added:
“ We fought hard to make sure services like Young Hackney are free for you, because we believe in you, and we want to create the moment for you to shine. Tonight is one of those nights.”
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children's Social Care
Here is the full list of nominees from the 10th Hackney Youth Awards:
Positive Choice and Achievement
Junior winner: Benjamin Dadzie
Junior runner up: Ambar-Seraiyah Chimara
Senior winner: Angeli Rosey
Senior runner up: Ibu Adeyeye & Kayden Hales
Young Explorer
Senior winner: Gloria Shi
Senior runner up: Clement Stokes & Kaedyn Skerrit
Community, Ambition and Innovation
Junior winner: Rickola Sutherland
Junior runner up: Isabella Velho & Kashaun Griffiths
Senior winner: "Exposure: Don't Disappear in Silence" project
Senior runner up: Young neurodivergent experts panel & Young Hackney's "Inspire" multi-sports project
Tamba Ngegba - Young Leader
Senior winner: Charlie Dorrell
Senior runner up: Adelanke Adegbulugbe & Elsa Besant
Outstanding Volunteer
Junior winner: Kelly-Mae Murrian
Senior winner: Cadjari Blyden and Abid Miah
Senior runner up: Junaid Sheikh & Max Meah
Project of the Year:
Winner: Fame Star Youth
Overcoming Adversity
Junior winner: Harley Hendricks
Senior winner: Keisha Stagles Kelly
Senior runner up: Maxine Meah & Nina Barrett
Inspirational Young Person
Junior winner: Alexis Johnson
Runner up: Ishmael Bhamji & Londoners Vieira Ca
Senior winner: Keon Plummer May
Senior runner up: Marium Fatima & Mohammed Basit
Young Carer of the Year
Junior winner: Sarai & Seline Abraham-Russell
Junior runner up: Deflyn Iabna Nandinga Intchama & Jeanette Chavez-Acosta
Senior winner: Rayan Moussaoui
Senior runner up: Chelsea Agbodjete & Isaiah Samuel-Lubin