- Culture
- 06 Dec 21
Ten influential artists, entrepreneurs and activists were recognised at the first-ever Black & Irish Awards.
Tolü Makay, Offica and more were honoured this weekend at the Black & Irish Awards.
Sponsored by Warner Music Ireland, Virgin Media, Intel and Guinness, the inaugural awards ceremony recognised prominent members of the Black and mixed-race community in Ireland. Leon Diop, the founder of the nonprofit organisation Black & Irish, has said that he hopes this event will continue and grow in the future.
Soul singer Makay was presented with the female artist of the year award, and rapper Offica received the male artist of the year award. Other awards presented throughout the night included entrepreneur of the year, personality of the year, influencer of the year and more. Mamobo Ogoro, the founder of Gorm Media, received the award for activist of the year.
Offica and Ogoro were both part of Hot Press' All Against Racism Campaign with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Read Offica's statement here.
For the campaign, Ogoro said: "We are in the unique position to choose how we frame conversations on race and racism, to one that celebrates our differences, uplifts voices when necessary, and builds bridges..."
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Read Ogoro's full statement here.
See the full list of Black & Irish award winners below:
Platform of the year: Created in Eire
Podcast of the Year: Where's Your Heart At Podcast
Entrepreneur of the year: Freeborn Noble
Personality of the year: Victoria Adeyinka
Influencer of the year: BillyKiss
Breakthrough artist of the year: Sello
Female artist of the year: Tolü Makay
Male artist of the year: Offica
Community star of the year: Blezzing Dada
Activist of the year: Mamobo Ogoro