Black British Stars Set to Wow Westminster
The London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards are set to take Westminster by storm next week as celebrities line up to congratulate the London students who have bucked negative stereotypes and achieved top grades. Speakers at the Awards, taking place on the 3rd October, will include broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, comedian Lenny Henry, Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo, one of Britain’s wealthiest black businessman Damon Buffini, the BBC’s original “Apprentice” Tim Campbell and Schools Minister Lord Andrew Adonis.
A keen supporter of the Awards, Lord Adonis said today:
“I’ve been involved with London Schools and the Black Child since I first joined the then Department of Education and Skills in 2005. I particularly enjoy coming to the awards ceremony and seeing how year on year young Black students are achieving some of the best grades in London. I enjoy seeing the look of sheer pride on parents’ and teachers’ faces when their son, daughter or student takes to the stage in the House of Commons to a roar of applause. That is the moment when everybody’s hard work is rewarded.”
Lenny Henry said:
“I was thrilled to be invited to join in with the 'London Schools and the Black Child' awards this year. This ceremony is a great opportunity to show how well black children in London are doing. These youngsters haven't just reached a national standard, they have far exceeded it. It is important that London and the rest of the country recognise that. Personally, l know how difficult it is to juggle other responsibilities with studying. Right now I'm being a father, husband, working through a Master's degree and trying to maintain a career simultaneously-but this is nothing compared to what these guys have been up to - the people we are celebrating on October 3rd have worked, looked after siblings, mentored younger students, volunteered in the community, played competitive sports, been part of music groups and even helped build a school in India whilst still achieving incredibly high grades. I take my hat, shoes, socks and pants off to anyone who can do that. Congratulations and big up yourself! You rock!”
Damon Buffini commented:
“It is a huge privilege to be able to recognise the achievements of London’s young people at the London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards. It is so important that we celebrate the academic achievement of our young people because hard work and determination offer the clearest routes to genuine respect. Excellence is the passport to success in a globalised world and I look forward to seeing these young people shaping Britain’s classrooms, boardrooms and public life in the 21st Century.”
Young people being awarded this year include a Hackney schoolgirl who helped build a dental centre in Kenya and was awarded a full scholarship to Gordonstoun School; an A Level student at school in Greenwich who arrived illiterate from Somalia when he was 9 years old but whose desire to be a doctor inspired him to achieve top grades and a place at Oxford University; and a young woman at sixth form in Forest Gate who achieved top grades and fought to continue a brilliant sports career despite undergoing spinal surgery.
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