HARLOW’S global female empowerment ambassador, Dr Diahanne Rhiney BCAe recently founded and hosted The Baton Awards 2018 at The Houses of Parliament.

SHINING a spotlight on BAME progress, Dr Diahanne Rhiney hosted and founded The Baton Awards: Celebrating BAME Women of Past, Present and Future took place at The Houses of Parliament before a pioneer studded audience.

The evening was introduced by Lord Scarisbrick CBE and hosted by BAME newsreader pioneers Sky’s Gillian Joseph and broadcaster Charlene White.

‘Not so long ago I was the intern, the green hopeful in the newsroom but now advancing years and experience have placed me firmly in the position of Mentor. It’s a role I actually relish as it is imperative that the baton is passed on, and that is precisely what the awards achieved.’ Sky’s Gillian Joseph, The Baton Awards co-host.

Shining a spotlight on BAME female executives, entrepreneurs, scientists, creatives, activists and organisations run by women, winners in The Baton Awards 2018 celebrating BAME women of past, present and future were announced at The Houses of Parliament on Thursday, November 29th. The Baton Awards 2018 was designed not only to inspire BAME women, by celebrating pioneers and innovators, but to actively activate change at a grassroots level and create a surge in the myriad of industries that aren’t being accessed by the female BAME community. Winners received their Baton Award 2018, from one of the pioneering predecessors (torchbearers) in the field they succeeded in.

With the rise of #MeToo, 2018 is being hailed ‘The Year of The Woman’ and this is the circle of progress that The Baton Awards 2018 is based firmly upon. This milestone event gathered a pipeline of the world’s leading BAME figures, including the evenings hosts, broadcaster Charlene White and Sky’s Gillian Joseph.

The Natwest Every Woman Award winner has recently been awarded a British Citizen Award for her positive contribution to educating and empowering young people.

With more than 200 finalists, supporters and young people in attendance, the awards were announced in The Terrace Pavilion overlooking the Thames river after being formally introduced by event sponsor and supporter Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE who opened the floor for Dawn Butler MP to deliver a breath-taking speech about the importance of celebrating BAME women.

The next generation were a focal point of the event, with The Baton Awards giving complimentary tickets to young people to be inspired. The event raised more than £1800 for Harlow children’s Domestic Abuse charity strength with in me foundation (S.W.I.M) 1165152; a non-profit organization, providing comprehensive intervention in response to the prevalence of Domestic Abuse among young girls and women. The event took place during the 16 days of action campaign, designed to fall specifically on November 29th which was International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, focusing on the work of women who defend the human rights of women and girls.

After hundreds of nominations from all over the world were submitted to the awards this year for consideration in categories including Entrepreneur of the Year, Third Sector of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, STEM trailblazer of the Year among others. Winners were chosen by more than 30pioneering judges specialized judging committees to determine the winning Award placements. Winners include:

Brenda Emmanus: Excellence in Media
Mona Hammond OBE: Creative Industry
Nazia Khatun: Sportswoman of The Year
Emma Dabiri: Thought Leader of The Year

The Baton Award winners reflect a diverse group of BAME women from around the globe. The Baton Awards have been hailed as ‘more than just glitz’ with winners receivingongoing mentoring from their BAME industry pioneer.

For a complete list of Baton Award winners and more information, visit www.thebatonawards.com