As part of the Black History Month calendar, five outstanding young people of Somaliland Heritage have been recognised among other talentedand exceptional young people of African and Caribbean descent at the National Black History Wales Youth Awards 2022 held this month at the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay.
The National Black History Wales Youth Awards is an event delivered annually within the Black History Wales programme. This year there were over 50 nominations from all across Wales in the 13 categories.
Race Council Cymru host the National Black History Youth Awards at the start of October every year to recognise the contributions of outstanding young people of African and Caribbean descent to celebrate their achievements.
This year it was supported and attended my Welsh Ministers of the Senedd, Police and Crime Commissioners and Representatives of University and other Major Institutions who all contributed to the incredible presentation evening.
This is the fifth year of the awards organised by Race Council Cymru, with support and funding from the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government.
There we’re 13 categories in total and anyone could nominate a young person for an award in one or more of the categories; each nominee was required to be aged between 13 and 30 years old and living, studying, born or working in Wales.
It was an extra special night for one of Wales largest African Diaspora Communities, the Somaliland Community who had 5 young people recognised on the evening.
There has been a Somaliland diaspora in Wales since the 1800’s, with most living in Cardiff. The strong link between Wales and Somaliland dates back to the 19th century, when Cardiff was one of the world’s biggest coal-exporting ports and Somali sailors joined the crew of British ships.
Mr Ali Abdi BEM, Founder of Wales Somaliland Youth Links and the National Lead for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Youth Forum said “i am absolutely blown away by the talent we have here in the Senedd from all across Wales and from our community, each and every young person recognised this evening fully deserve the recognition for their dedication to their craft and I look forward to connecting with each of them to take our National Youth Forum to the next level.
Ali was also delighted that a number of young people of Somaliland Heritage received recognition - “Of course I’m buzzing for everyone but the awards this year was even more special for our Somaliland community as FIVE Somaliland youth were recognised for their outstanding contribution and achievements in their areas of expertise.”
Chief Executive of Race Council Cymru and Lead for Black History Wales Mrs Uzo Iwobi CBE paid special tribu
te to the young people that were nominated and received recognition awards - she said “the future is bright here in Wales, we have some amazing talent coming through and in line with this years theme of the awards, I just want to reiterate to all the young People - The Time Is Now!”.
Here are the some of the recipients of the National Black History Youth
Awards and of Somaliland Heritage:
Admiral Group Young Leader Award
A young person who has shown promise and gained skills, knowledge, qualifications and/or experience in leading civic engagement, educational activities and community organising activities.
Najma Hashi (Winner)
Big Ideas Wales Entrepreneur Award
Pioneers, innovators, leaders and inventors who run their own business/es or social enterprise. In particular ventures with a wider benefit (such as tackling a social need, creating employment in areas of deprivation) to the local communities would be an added advantage.
Ibrahim Abdi (Winner)
The Royal British Legion Good Citizen Award
An honest and self-sacrificing young person who has made an exceptional contribution or service to his community and society at large, by showing compassion and care for people and other living things.
Nooh Omar Ibrahim (Finalist)
Young Volunteer
A young person who works voluntarily for a social cause or organisation and has demonstrated exceptional self-sacrificing spirit in serving people and the community over an extended period of time.
Nadila Hussein (Finalist)
Open Category
For young people who have made achievements or contributions in ways that should be recognised but that do not fit into the defined categories above.
Ibrahim Osman (Finalist)
*Go to the Photo Gallery to view more pictures
