ETHNICITY AWARDS UNVEILS ITS 2025 SHORTLIST

STARS LEADING THE WAY INCLUDING NCUTI GATWA, CHARLI XCX, LEWIS HAMILTON, RINA SAWAYAMA, CLARA AMFO AND MO GILLIGAN

The Ethnicity Awards is proud to reveal its 2025 shortlist, celebrating exceptional individuals and organisations who are driving progress in diversity, equity and inclusion across society. This year’s nominees represent everything from entertainment and journalism to sports, community activism and corporate leadership, each recognised for their contributions to creating a more inclusive world.

The Ethnicity Awards is a celebration of outstanding work in both corporate and community categories, with awards presented to those leading change in the areas of diversity, social impact and advocacy. Now in its seventh year, the Ethnicity Awards shines a light on those from Black, Asian and diverse ethnic communities who are working towards positive change and creating sustainable impact in the media, grassroots communities and the workplace. Winners will be selected through a both public vote and panel judging, and will be revealed at the London ceremony this Autumn.

Voting is now open for public categories at www.ethnicityawards.com.

BROADCASTER, JOURNALIST OR HOST

From trusted news reporters, to rising voices in entertainment and culture, this year’s shortlist honours the communicators who are shaping how stories are told. Nominees include Clara Amfo and Amol Rajan, who continue to lead with authenticity and insight, and presenters like AJ Odudu and Mo Gilligan, who bring vibrant representation to prime-time TV screens. Also recognised are journalists such as Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Zing Tsjeng, and Sharan Dhaliwal, whose work pushes the boundaries of storytelling and inclusion. Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renee Kapuku are celebrated for founding the To My Sisters community, while Romesh Ranganathan, Mishal Husain, Reggie Yates and Alice Bhandhukravi are honoured for their meaningful contributions to the world of broadcasting and media.

MUSIC ARTIST

This category celebrates artists across a multitude of genres, from hip hop to classical fusion, using their sound and lyricism to amplify underrepresented voices and inspire cultural pride. The 2025 shortlist includes chart-topping talents like Flo, Little Simz, and Charli XCX, alongside genre-defying acts like Anoushka Shankar and Nitin Sawhney. Rising stars like DJ AG and collectives like Girls Don’t Sync showcase a new generation of sound, while Rina Sawayama, Alesha Dixon and Ghetts continue to inspire. Also shortlisted are soulful storytellers like Celeste and Griff, who continue to use their music as a tool to blend emotional depth with cultural resonance.

SPORTS PERSONALITY

These athletes are dominating in their fields as well as using their platforms to drive change. From football stars Lauren James, Bukayo Saka and Son Heung-min, to F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, this category demonstrates the power of sport to break down barriers. Nominees such as Kadeena Cox, Anwar Uddin and Khadijah Mellah are all champions of representation, while trailblazers like Maro Itoje, Perri Shakes-Drayton and Azeem Rafiq are paving the way for future generations. Alex Scott MBE and Maia Bouchier receive nominations too, a nod to those sporting personalities who lead with excellence on and off the field, continually advocating for greater inclusion in sport.

ONLINE INFLUENCER

These digital voices are leading conversations and building communities online. This year’s shortlist includes medical expert Dr Karan Rajan, body positivity advocate Stephanie Yeboah and tech innovator Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE. Comedians like Munya Chawawa and Big Zuu use humour to highlight deeper social issues, while changemakers like Courtney Daniella Boateng, Kike Oniwinde and Zainab Alema are challenging norms and inspiring thousands across their platforms. Completing the shortlist in this category are creators like Nella Rose, Parle Patel, Anchal Seda and Marvyn Newland Harrison, who are using their reach to celebrate identity and empower their audiences.

INSPIRATIONAL PUBLIC FIGURE

The Inspiration Public Figure category shines a light on those who truly exemplify courage, talent and leadership. From the artistry of Simone Ashley, Riz Ahmed and Leomie Anderson, to the tireless activism of Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and historian David Olusoga, the shortlist nominees reflect influence across multiple sectors. Icons like Meera Syal, Ashley Walters, Nadiya Hussain and Yotam Ottolenghi continue to shape British culture, while visionaries like Pat McGrath, Aaron Pierre and Oluwunmi Mosaku redefine excellence, on a global stage.

MEDIA PROGRESS MOMENT

This category recognises the most unforgettable moments of visibility and cultural shift in mainstream media in the past 12 months. Highlights include Dev Patel’s Monkey Man, Netflix’s Supacell and Ncuti Gatwa’s groundbreaking role as Doctor Who. From EastEnders’ tackling of Islamophobia to the BBC’s Grenfell: Uncovered and Channel 4’s “Sorry, Not Sorry” campaign – these moments spotlight resilience and representation. Other moments include Judi Love and Richard Ayoade in Prime’s hilarious Last One Laughing, Netflix’s portrayal of an interracial romance in Nobody Wants This, Amrou Al-Kadhi’s trailblazing visibility and Cynthia Erivo’s lead role in Wicked. Doechii’s powerful Grammy acceptance speech and the London Mayor’s move to block contracts with companies lacking DEI policies also marked significant steps forward in cultural accountability and inclusion.

CHARITY OR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

These shortlisted organisations are the heartbeat of local and national change. Nominees include anti-racism champions Kick It Out, mental health advocates Taraki, and female-led groups like IMKAAN and Black Women Rising. Projects like Kanlungan Filipino Consortium, Voice ESEA and World Afro Day celebrate community identity, while Art Against Knives, Platform Southall and Black Thrive are tackling inequality with creativity and purpose. Further recognition goes to SEEWA, supporting South Asian women through empowerment and advocacy, and Tell MAMA, which works to combat anti-Muslim hate across the UK.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES

This category honours individuals driving grassroots change, often unsung but still deeply impactful. From youth advocates like Ebinehita Iyere and Kwajo Tweneboa, to culinary community-builder Natty Can Cook, each nominee is creating real change. Social reformers like Dr Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, Sabah Choudrey and Nazim Ali are making a real and tangible difference, while campaigners like Amika George, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell and Anna Chan continue to uplift marginalised voices across the UK. A place on the shortlist also goes out to Kevin Osei, founder of Bridging Barriers, whose work empowers young people through mentorship, Shazia Ali, a tireless community advocate and Talisha Johnson aka Tee Cee, who uses storytelling to amplify Black British experiences.

New for 2025! The Innovation Award celebrates organisations leading the way with bold and creative approaches to inclusion. Determined via the Investing In Ethnicity Maturity Matrix* this award recognises initiatives that go beyond the conventional to drive meaningful impact and cultural change. This year’s shortlist includes standout efforts from ATOS, Bentley Motors, Channel 4, Croud, L&G, National Grid, Newcastle Building Society, OVO, Stonewater and Whitbread.

Across the corporate categories, the awards celebrate individuals and groups who are driving real change within their organisations. From the Champion Ally category which includes nominees like Lynn Jonas, Mike James and Charlotte Bailey, who use their positions to uplift others, to Exceptional Inclusion nominees such as Irene Adeyinka and Camila Martinez, whose daily work embeds equity at every level – these are the leaders creating fairer and more inclusive workplaces. Rising stars in the Future Leader category, including Promise Eseoghene Ahante and Nikhil Patel, show that impact has no age, while Innovation Awardnominees like Emma Humphries, Kirsty Walker and Ellis Cook are proving that creative thinking can spark long-lasting change.

Inspirational Leader nominees such as Reuel Abhams, Nicola Dormer and Gautam Bhattacharyya are guiding progress with empathy and conviction. Meanwhile, Network Groups like Race for Change, and dedicated advocates including Ama O’Cansey and Florence Henderson are fostering community and building lasting equity. And in Outstanding Employer, companies like Ashurst, BP and KPMG are showing what it looks like to put inclusion at the heart of any business strategy.

The full list of shortlisted nominees and awards categories can be found below.

The Ethnicity Awards proudly platforms the stories and work of changemakers who often go unrecognised. Each shortlisted nominee embodies the spirit of activism and cultural influence, helping to foster a more equal and equitable society for all.

Sarah Garrett MBE, Founder of the Ethnicity Awards said, “We are so delighted to share this year’s Ethnicity Awards shortlist, which represents the very best of what our communities have to offer – excellence, resilience, impact and so much more. The world needs more changemakers just like these brilliant people and organisations – each nominee reflects the true power of representation, and we’re proud to celebrate their work. We look forward to celebrating these achievements at the ceremony later this year.”

Rachel Montgomerie, Head of People for HSBC UK said, “Inclusion is key to opening up a world of opportunity, and HSBC UK is proud to be a long-time partner of the Ethnicity Awards. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees – your work continues to inspire.”

The Ethnicity Awards have previously honoured some remarkable individuals and organisations, such as Mat Moakes of OVO, winner of the Champion Ally award for his advocacy for inclusion, and Jacquline Alcindor from LGIM, whose exceptional work in diversity and inclusion earned her the Exceptional Inclusion award. Rita Ora and Emeli Sandé have been celebrated for their commitment to social justice in the Music Artist category, while Geoffrey Williams of Burberry was recognised for his leadership in advancing ethnic diversity in the workplace. These past winners exemplify the powerful impact that one individual or organisation can have in creating meaningful change.

 
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