history of bya
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“Join the movement. Create a revolution. There is a success story within everyone”
BYA (Black Youth Achievements) History to date
February 12th 2008 Kay Oldroyd has the idea for a national awards ceremony for young people of black African / Caribbean heritage. After working within the youth, education and public sectors for 20 years, Kay has seen first- hand the contribution that negative stereotypes and lack of role models has had on young people, along with the numerous other socio-economic factors. February – October 2008 Kay researches other awards events in the UK discovering that whilst there are a number in existence, none operate on a national level or cover multiple categories or ages. The concept for BYA Awards grows – although it does not have a name at that point. October 6th 2008 ‘Black Youth Achievements’ is registered as a CIC (community interest company) at Companies House. November 2008 First meeting of ‘Black Youth Achievements’ takes place. This was with Kay and her friend Sehaer Siddique-Edwards, work associates and volunteers who by word of mouth had heard about the new organisation. The group discuss how, where and when the first awards ceremony should take place. November 2009 was decided upon: giving a year of preparation. January 2009 – Website designed April 2009 Website launched. Nominations open for the UK’s first ever Black Youth Achievements Awards Ceremony. First nomination received from Nigeria and the second one from U.S! The word had spread fast, but unfortunately the nominations could not be accepted. This however demonstrated the level of interest already. There were 6 categories in the first year:
Arts Business & Enterprise Choices Community Education Sport
April – August 2009 – Over 500 nominations from around the UK (and a few more from overseas)
were received.
September 2009 – Short-listing takes place to choose the 4 finalists in each category, 24 in total
October 2009 – Shortlisted finalists are announced on the website.
November 21st 2009 –
The 1st ever Black Youth Achievement Awards
is held at Bernie Grants Arts Centre in
Tottenham.
Over 450 people had travelled from various
parts of the country to support the nominees
and the event.
Overwhelming positive feedback from
nominees and guests was received.
Black Youth Achievements had made their
mark in the very first year and were awarded
a GEW High Impact Badge of Honour
(www.gew.org)
July 27th 2010 –
Black Youth Achievements receive Big Lottery
funding and host a Careers Day at Lambeth
Town Hall, helping young people explore their
career and training options.
Again, positive feedback and requests for
more events of that kind to happen.
September 2010
Director Kay Oldroyd featured as one of Europe’s Most Powerful Women on ‘Black Women in
Europe’s Powerlist’ along with others such as Diane Abbot, Baroness Amos, Dame Kelly Holmes and
Oona King (http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com/2010/12/03/a-list-of-our-own-the-most-
powerful-black-women-in-europe/).
Kay was also featured in the Black 100+ Legacy Book. BYA then received the London Peace Week
‘Volunteers Award’ at City Hall.
November 20th 2010
2nd Annual BYA Awards takes place at
Camden Centre, Euston.
Over 400 people in attendance repeating the
success and quality of 2009.
The new Technology category is introduced.
Olympic and Commonwealth medallists Tricia-
Kaye Smith and Donna Fraser support the
event.
2009 BYA Award winners co-present in their
winning categories, creating the start of the
BYA Legacy of Achievement.
The event is commended by GEW for the 2nd year running
August 2011
BYA works in partnership with CACFO to organise and host ‘Croydon’s Next Top Role Model’.
This happens the week after the summer riots and gives young people the chance to show the
community just how positive and hard working they really are.
(www.youthinexcellence.com)
October 2011
BYA are finalists in the ‘Regional Business of the Year’ category at the BBI Awards held at Hilton
Hotel, Tower Bridge
November 19th2011 – The 3rd Annual (now known as) BYA Awards became especially significant in
2011.
Following the UK summer riots, there was an increased focus on young people and criminal
behaviour.
BYA hosted the awards ceremony in Croydon, a borough that was subject to a vast amount of
damage to properties, livelihoods and emotions. ‘Reeves Corner’ the 140 year old furniture shop
that was burnt to the ground became synonymous with the events of August.
Maurice Reeves the owner, attended BYA Awards 2011 with a BBC film crew and presented an
award. This was later shown in the documentary ‘Up in Flames’ first shown on BBC1 Thursday 15th
December 2011.
For the 3rd consecutive year, GEW recognise
the BYA Awards as a High Impact Event
January 2012
Kay Oldroyd nominated to be a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts,
Manufacturing and Commerce) ‘Ideas and action for a 21st Century enlightenment’ www.thersa.org
BYA activites for 2012
BYA Martial Arts School – July BYA Spelling Bee – July 4th annual BYA Awards – November
‘Building Your Aspirations’ – The Launch of the BYA Ambassador Programme – May 9th
The BYA Ambassador Programme has been designed to enable young people to lead on a campaign
for change.
Previous BYA Award winners will become the face of the organisation as ambassadors, representing
the true identity of black youth in the UK.
‘Building Your Aspirations’ is an open event that young people and their parents are encouraged to
come to, to meet the BYA Ambassadors and hear how they became successful within different
industries.
This will take place on Wednesday 9th May 6pm – 8pm at Pearson Plc’s offices on The Strand,
London. Hosted by Swiss who is spearheading the campaign, the evening is designed to educate,
empower and entertain.
BYA Award presenters and guest speakers
have included:
David Lammy MP Rhoda Wilson of BEN TV Rosemary Laryea of Colourful Radio Abu Bundu-Kamara of Pearson Plc Rodney Hinds of Hindsight 4 Sport and Sports Editor of The Voice Newspaper Garfield Robinson of The Voice Newspaper Charles Thompson of Screen Nation Tony Harrison of LSTC Swiss of So Solid Darae Palmer MTV Base Lounge presenter Claudine Reid MBE
Supported by:- Pearson Plc EDF Merlin Legal & General Ultimalt Tropical Connections Black Limelight Design Screen Nation Afridiziak Theatre News Black Heritage Today Lime Magazine The Voice ClickOnyx Cetstar
The BYA Team:- Founder & Director:- Kay Oldroyd FRSA ([email protected]) Project Manager:- Sehaer Siddique-Edwards ([email protected]) Relationship Manager:- Paulette Williams ([email protected]) Community Consultant:- Tony Harrison ([email protected]) Marketing Executive:- Sabrina Lester ([email protected])