Meet our 2022 winners
![Towela Mutale - Mbirimi.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_2b240202cb5d4ad991ee6172f4dbe8c8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_472,y_0,w_1632,h_1971/fill/w_337,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Towela%20Mutale%20-%20Mbirimi_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Lovemore Ndou.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_538b918754a6480cb428a26a803df796~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_1,w_1887,h_2499/fill/w_307,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Lovemore%20Ndou_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Sally Mukii.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_e05ad117d04847258fe5b4367d2cd216~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_4,y_121,w_1795,h_2369/fill/w_308,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Sally%20Mukii_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Princess Funke.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_d4ebb942fd7f4eb18425466d1fe4d0fc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_42,y_0,w_1379,h_2405/fill/w_298,h_520,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Princess%20Funke_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Emily Nkomo.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_ce4e6779d67f4f9d8f79757637836943~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_18,y_22,w_1664,h_2032/fill/w_333,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Emily%20Nkomo_JPG.jpg)
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.
![SydWest Multicultural Services.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_ca30cd8aed2d4b10b77a1b62c04f61e0~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_58,y_0,w_1941,h_2160/fill/w_366,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/SydWest%20Multicultural%20Services_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Kylie Harkins.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_48030123dd564191b57a533faf7a4be2~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_14,y_18,w_1693,h_2165/fill/w_318,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Kylie%20Harkins_JPG.jpg)
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.
![C-city Records.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_1273e85f3537431fa995c67ac55ff0a1~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_54,y_81,w_2044,h_2856/fill/w_298,h_416,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/C-city%20Records_JPG.jpg)
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.
![IMG_0577.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_906c008a83d04703a0bca2b2f79ce364~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_840,w_3364,h_4268/fill/w_321,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_0577_JPG.jpg)
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.
![IMG_0414.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_5bfb3a904d5446889c06c0394c401922~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_12,y_702,w_3582,h_4590/fill/w_318,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_0414_JPG.jpg)
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.
![IMG_0661.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_b5e3c926b46940299fd00e7c1a28d886~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_341,y_765,w_3282,h_3981/fill/w_336,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_0661_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Currency Baba.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_8abba19ae2034ea2a645f6afca4df966~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_987,y_0,w_2151,h_3456/fill/w_298,h_479,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Currency%20Baba.jpg)
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.
![Annastacia Wainaina.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_84faf7212bb844b79f2eb9d75f0d65a8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_682,y_96,w_2403,h_2961/fill/w_330,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Annastacia%20Wainaina.jpg)
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
![Rwanda Community NSW.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_aa0071a0fb2442438cff49094b073e7e~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_542,y_165,w_2747,h_3392/fill/w_330,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Rwanda%20Community%20NSW.jpg)
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.
![Noel Zihabamwe.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_f1b95ea0a3c5435e92f750f90d37acaf~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_83,y_139,w_1689,h_2185/fill/w_315,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Noel%20Zihabamwe_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Maria Nakirijja.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_5ce4c67489b94785995ba910446ade7d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_193,y_179,w_1638,h_2038/fill/w_327,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Maria%20Nakirijja_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Napoleone Khama.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_cef0b22045ad430596ff55a9cb9263c6~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_35,y_49,w_1667,h_2339/fill/w_298,h_418,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Napoleone%20Khama_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Dr Levi Osuagwu.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_e953ce2851ae445481ecb24bff3df65e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_331,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Dr%20Levi%20Osuagwu_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Settlement Services International.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_23cd0a79e5f040758b706c87ef7a23a0~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_41,y_30,w_1783,h_2514/fill/w_298,h_420,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Settlement%20Services%20International_JPG.jpg)
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
![Dr Josephine Okurame.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_5fc9dec815bb450096c9458434880dee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_317,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Dr%20Josephine%20Okurame_JPG.jpg)
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.
![Tendayi Chivunga.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb2e87_618c0ee93e1f46d2b53eae0d5bb403a7~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_2,y_268,w_1840,h_2357/fill/w_318,h_407,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Tendayi%20Chivunga_JPG.jpg)