Award Categories
1. Community Awards
Community Ambassador – This award recognises an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to their local community, acting as a positive role model and ambassador for social change through their volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership.
Community Organisation – Recognises a community-focused organisation promoting social inclusion and diverse representation within ethnic minority communities. This award highlights voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises tackling inequalities and building stronger, more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Community Champion – Honours a passionate individual from an ethnic minority background whose leadership, advocacy, or community organising makes a significant impact. They tackle local challenges, champion social mobility, and inspire others within their communities.
2. Youth Awards
Apprentership Award – Recognition of an employer or organisation that has shown outstanding commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, fostering skill development, and supporting the professional growth of apprentices, in addition to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is integrated into their schemes and provision.
Youth Impact Award – Youth Impact Award: Celebrates young leaders, that champion EDI among their peers and within their education establishment. This award highlights those fostering a future where all young people, regardless of background, can thrive, a young person from an ethnic minority background who despite facing challenges, inspires others to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential too.
3. Public Sector Award
Important to acknowledge a public sector organisation/body or individual that has shown exemplary commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Tees Valley region, demonstrating innovation, leadership, and measurable impact in their work. Creating pathways for under-represented communities within their workforce and/or transforming systems to eliminate discrimination.
4. Health Award
This prestigious award recognises individuals or organisations who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and innovation in promoting health and well-being among diverse communities. Through community health initiatives, or advocacy for equitable healthcare access, recipients of this award have made significant strides in improving the health outcomes and quality of life for BME individuals in the region.
5. Education Award
This award recognises individuals, schools, or organisations that have demonstrated excellence in promoting learning, fostering academic achievement, and supporting the personal and professional development of BME individuals. Their dedication and passion for education serve as a beacon of inspiration, enriching lives and shaping futures.
6. Business Awards
Micro Business of the Year – Recognises a small, dynamic business owned or led by someone from an ethnic minority background, demonstrating innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, promoting positive change within their community.
SME Business of the year – Honours a small or medium-sized enterprise owned or led by someone from an ethnic minority background, excelling in business performance, leadership, and social responsibility, inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
Business Person of the year – Recognises an exceptional business leader from an ethnic minority background driving success while making a positive impact on others in the region, fostering an inclusive business environment.
Social Impact Business of the year – Celebrates a large private sector organisation demonstrating outstanding commitment to promoting EDI within its workforce and collaborating with ethnic minority communities for positive change.
International Business Award – Acknowledges a leader or company who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to ensuring local communities are included in their ambition for growth and inclusion. The recipient will have demonstrated outstanding efforts in achieving equality, diversity, and inclusion, showcasing a genuine dedication to uplifting the BME community within the Tees Valley region while also making a significant impact on an international scale. This award celebrates the power of global corporations to foster local engagement and champion inclusive excellence.
7. Woman of the Year
Celebrating a remarkable woman who has made significant contributions to the Tees Valley community, demonstrating leadership, resilience, and empowerment in her professional, personal, or community endeavours. Providing opportunities for future generations, this exceptional woman will lead the way be ensuring her legacy provides gender equality outcomes.
8. Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded to an exemplary individual who has made a lasting and significant impact on the Tees Valley community over the course of their lifetime, demonstrating positive leadership, dedication, and service to others to ensure diverse communities are represented across all spheres of civic, business, and public engagement.