Meet our 2022 winners
Champion Award 2022
Originally from Zambia, Towela is an experienced and dynamic leader, Company Secretary and Governance Practitioner. She has accumulated in excess of 15 years corporate governance experience working in a State Owned Corporation, Public Financial Corporation and various Local Governments in NSW.
Professional Excellence Award 2022
Lovemore is a prominent lawyer in Sydney specialising in Family Law and Criminal Law. The three-time world boxing champion is also a book author with his recent book 'Tough Love' hitting record sales on Amazon. Principal solicitor at Lovemore Lawyers, in Rockdale NSW.
Entrepreneurship Award 2022
Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Sally has always had a streak for business as well as a passion for mental health and wellbeing. Sally decided to merge those two interests together and established the Meliora Life Foundation to help people struggling with their mental health in NSW and QLD.
Champion Award 2022
The Nigerian born, broadcast journalist, with many years of experience in production, presentation and news-casting in radio and television, Princess is currently the producer and presenter of “BLACK RHYTHMS SHOW” on 93.7 FM station. She has used her position in media to promote many Africans projects and events.
Young Achiever Award 2022
Buhlebenkosi Emily (represented by mum above) made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean-Australian to sing the national anthem at the 2022 State of Origin kick off.
She made her professional Musical Theatre debut as the leading role of 'Frankie Healy' in the musical Jagged Little Pill Australia from 2021.
Community Engagement Award 2022
SydWest Multicultural Services is a leading organisation for all cultural diversity issues responding to community needs and opportunities. It offers flexible and integrated service models across the life course of refugees and migrants, supporting self-determination and empowerment.
Support to the Comm'ty Award 2022
Born and raised in the Bankstown area of Sydney, Kylie has found a second home in the African Australia community. For over 25 years, Kylie has been volunteering within the African Australian community mainly offering support, guidance and promotion of local and international events.
Champion Award 2022
Promise Edugie a Currency Baba is an African Australia Singer, Songwriter and Recording Artist with a unique style. Currency came to light in 2016 after his debut single “” Testimony”. Since then he has dominated the stage with his African narrative music. He performs across Australia and overseas.
Inspiration Award 2022
Zimbabwean born Margaret (represented above) has a Bachelor of Science degree and will be completing her Juris Doctor in 2024. She is an inspiration to various youngsters in the community and has also worked with the Department of Finance, Department of Social Services, and the Attorney General.
Entrepreneurship Award 2021
Nigerian born Ola is the Director of No.1 African Choice shop located in Bankstown where you can get all your home away from home products. No. 1 African Choice shop boasts of various African merchandise. The shop also provides part time / Full time jobs for young African adults in the community.
Champion Award 2021
Hawanatu (Represented in picture above) is an Afro-Australian award-winning filmmaker and social worker. She is a self-taught filmmaker with a career spanning over a decade. She has written, produced and directed films in various genres including dance, experimental, drama, documentary and animation.
Young African Achiever 2019
Another uprising singer, songwriter and music producer who has taken over the music industry in style. Currency has produced hit songs that currently have a massive following on the YouTube. His budding profession is already glittering.
Professional Excellence 2019
She helps ignite transformation of managers into purposeful leaders. She is founder and director of Make it Happen initiative, an award winning humanitarian organization. She has a Masters in International Law. And she is author of IGNITE
Community Service Excellence 2019
The Rwanda Community NSW is one of the most vibrant among the African communities in Australia. They are remarkable for organizing events and projects that bring their members together and also connect with members from other communities.
Professional Excellence Award 2022
Noel is an Australian of Rwandan background and a multiple winner of professional, community, human rights, leadership and author awards. He currently works at Settlement Services International (SSI) as Multicultural Community Engagement Coordinator in Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter areas.
Professional Excellence Award 2022
Maria is a talented Career Consultant with expertise in helping unemployed individuals and college graduates find gainful employment in Sydney. She is also a passionate member of the Ugandan Community in NSW, inspiring young women reach greater heights and utilize the vast opportunities available to them Down Under.
Professional Excellence Award 2022
With over 18 years' experience in financial services, Napoleon has been instrumental in mentoring and assisting African Australians with meeting their career goals especially in the Banking sector. He is an executive at one of Australia’s largest financial services organization in Sydney.
Academic Excellence Award 2022
With over 91 publications, Nigerian born Levi is a Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University. He has a Doctor of Philosophy from the Queensland University of Technology, A Master of Science with distinction from Aston University in Birmingham, and Doctor of Optometry from Abia State University, Nigeria. He won a $4.5 Million dollar grant in preventing diabetes.
Community Engagement Award 2022
SSI is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. SSI works with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Champion Award 2022
Born in Nigeria, Josephine is a research project coordinator, biostatistician and Academic at the faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. She also owns Jimani Beauty, an e-commerce beauty supply service. She has a Public Health Masters and PhD degrees from Perth and Sydney.
Champion Award 2022
Born in Zimbabwe, Tendayi is an established Lawyer with Tee Legal firm in NSW. Dedicated to social justice and ensuring that people from all backgrounds have access to equal representation and services, Tendayi was named Valedictorian in her first year of study at the University of Newcastle.
Community Engagement Award 2022
The African Australian Football Association - AAFA addresses social issues faced by young people, particularly those from African and CALD communities using football as their central platform. The association has brought so many Africans together during the tournaments.
Community Engagement Award 2021
Born in Kenya, Grace (represented in picture above) works with people who have mental health issues, providing them with various services including counselling. She has a diploma in leadership and offers structured support to people in crisis including those contemplating suicide as a result of depression and anxiety.
Young Achiever Award 2021
DJ CMJ (Represented above ) is a Multi-genre Dj and Cyber security specialist, Radio host & Event promoter. A passionate entertainer, Judy is recognised for her contributions to the Afrobeats scene in Australia. She is a double degree holder in Business Administration & Information Technology
Champion Award 2019
With a hat-trick of recognition, Kenyan born Consolata boasts numerous academic and social work achievements. She has a Bachelor’s of Social Work Degree (Psychology) and also boasts of numerous local and international scholarships.
Community Engagement Award 2022
Born in Kenya, Scolastica is an academician with Masters in Social Work and Bachelors in Education. She is the Founder and current Chairlady of Ausken Diaspora Sacco, an organisation that brings Kenyans in Australia together to save and invest towards financial empowerment.
Professional Excellence Award 2022
Musically known as MAN PAS MAN, the Sierra Leone born musician is an Afro beats performing artist. His unique musical style, rhythms and lyrics are a blend of Mende, Krio and English language. Man Pas Man has dominated the music platform in Sydney performing at the Africulure festivals for years
Community Engagement Award 2022
The number of Zimbabweans residing in Australia continues to increase and many identify their migration journey with a particular group, be it for study, employment, born in Australia or asylum. Whatever the reason, the association unites all people from Zimbabwe through events and activities throughout the year.
Academic Excellence Award 2022
Born in Ghana, Christabel is a qualified pharmacist and a medical doctor. She is an Associate Lecturer at the University of New South Wales. As a general practice registrar and academic researcher, she has interest in research targeted at improving migrant health literacy in Australia
Academic Excellence Award 2021
Kenyan born Charles (Represented in Picture above) is lecturer in International Business and Strategy at the University of Technology Sydney. His research and publication focus includes the Impact of Chinese Investments in Sub Saharan Africa: Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability. He hold a PHD in Management.
Friend of Africa Award 2021
Kim (represented in picture above) is officially from Sierra Leone by marriage. She has always identified with big and small African events and projects using her social influence and that of her daughter to support and boost them. She has been a long-term supporter of the annual awards.
Community Engagement Award 2019
Edith is one of the champions of women in NSW and has started her own company Ida Events. She engages African Australians through hosting events mainly targeting women like at the African Women's Dinner Dance.
Humanitarian Award 2019
Fr. Alex is a co-founder of the Shukrani Foundation, a charity organisation that helps youngsters in the impoverished suburbs of Kenya to gain access to education and also participate in poverty alleviation projects.