In my career in media and music, I’ve worked at or attended nearly hundreds of awards shows nationally and internationally.
Then just when you think that one show is pretty much like the others, you’re invited to something special and important that makes you gasp and inspires you all over again.
As someone who has always throughout my career shone a light on hidden voices and undiscovered talent, and loved to shout about people and content that makes positive social impact, it was a JOY to witness an extremely inspirational night at the Visionary Arts Awards!
The Visionary Arts Awards returned for its fourth year on the 21st March 2023, in association with the UK’s leading anti racism charity, Show Racism the Red Card.
Hosted by Scarlette Douglas, the awards ceremony celebrated activists, creators and community leaders who over the past 12 months have inspired social change through the arts and their platforms including film, television, music, literature, podcasts, theatre, media platforms and their communities.
Alongside the presentation of the awards, there were live performances from pianist & composer Okiem, who’s music is described as “cinematic classical” and West End singer Cleopatra Rey accompanied by Edison on guitar, who performed ‘No Woman, No Cry’, into ‘One Love’, from Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical.
With a great ensemble of inspiring icons, community leaders and celebrities all under one roof at the beautiful Ham Yard hotel, we witnessed an inspirational evening!
So many amazing people and incredible impactful content were celebrated.
I presented the Best TV Ad of the Year to Virgin Atlantic. (that’s my fave airline!) Virgin Atlantic
Their ad SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY has captured hearts and minds (and customer loyalty)
Their ad celebrates the uniqueness of their people and customers.
For many decades I’ve always said that Virgin Atlantic have treated all customers with respect, made us ALL feel seen and special and their branding and unapologetic marketing proves it. ✈️
Judi Love won Best TV Doc for BLACK, FEMALE AND INVISIBLE , it was great to see ANGELA FERREIRA and her @DouglasRoad team win!
Kwajo Tweneboa won Community Person of the Year for all his social housing activism
Kojey Radical won Best Song with a social impact
Fearne Cotton won Podcast of the Year for Happy Place
And the magnificent Naomi Campbell won the Legacy Award with an impressive speech that challenged past discrimination and the secrets to her resilience.
Salute to the #VisionaryArtsAwards team – particularly their founder Adrian Grant and Rebecca Goodwin – for a important and fabulous evening celebrating positive social impact in the arts and creative industries.
#socialimpact #Arts #artsawards #positivesocialimpact #visionaryartsawards #visionaryartsTV #ShowRacismTheRedCard