Take a peek into the night that hosted this years Powerlist awards in Mayfair

02 November 2023 , 15:48

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British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful (Image: PA)

What was one of the greatest nights last week was the Powerlist awards, celebrating Black excellence and Black British icons who have influenced British culture this year, and what better time to do as well during Black History month. The Powerlist awards is an annual publication made to present professional role models for young people from African and African Caribbean heritage, and this years was it's 18th celebration of excellence.

I was lucky enough to attend the evening, watching over the stars who had come together for a night of celebration, thanks and networking. The night was filled with glamour, shimmering chandeliers dangling from the purple lit ceiling, a sparkling stage of light, and a candlelit tables made for kings and queens. It was hard to act normal when you're filled in a room with stars whose you've looked up to and used as a motivating force to get to where I am now. But, I had to pretend that yes I was used to this and it was just a normal Friday night.

The night was hosted by none other than businessman Tim Campbell MBE, who rose to prominence from winning the first series of Alan Sugar's The Apprentice. From the time Tim blessed the starters on the table, and made a joke about being the first person eating the food, we knew we were home. We weren't just guests, but to Tim we were all collectively a family. We laughed with him, we laughed at him, scorned at him a few times, which is what a family does.

The night sparkled and lit up the room (DAILY MIRROR)

Tim Campbell seen on the screen as he hosted the night (DAILY MIRROR)

After the lovely meals were over we finally got into the awards, which had a huge amount of categories for those in different fields from arts, to business and media. I was moved by all the winner's speeches, motivating the audiences and young people that we can't let out background stop us reaching our full potential. Just starting out in this career it felt like they were talking directly to me, their words had somehow managed to sweep over the crowd, wager through the tables and touch me as they understood and overcome the struggle that race can have on us.

I couldn't possibly name all the winners who left such a deep impact on me, but I'll happily name a few. One being Paul Reid, former head of the International slavery Museum in Liverpool, and now director of Innovation at the Ideas Foundation. From Lambeth to Liverpool, Paul has made an impact in establishing Black heritage in prominent communities. Paul won the Powerlist Black Community Award, and quite coolly made his way to the stage. His long dreads that reached the end of the back was tied back as he thanked his parents for their support, he thanked Powerful media for being recognised and even made a joke that everyone in the room is quite proudly so "drunk on Blackness." It was a night to celebrate Blackness like no other.

'Lord Sugar fired me from The Apprentice first - I don't want his £250k anyway'

I rose in my chair when Paulette Simpon CBE took to the stage to collect her award, as well as being ranked this year eighth most influential person by Powerlist. Paulette is a woman with many titles to her name, she is the executive, corporate affairs and public policy manager of Jamaica National bank and the executive director of British first Black newspaper, The Voice Media Group. It was Paulette, in true Jamaican fashion, who didn't fret about keeping to the time frame of her speech as she spoke of her upbringing of growing up in Jamaica and her struggles for even being able to be in the room and stage on the stage with hundreds looking at her in awe.

Me and actor David Harewood OBE known for his role as CIA Counterterrorism Director David Estes (DAILY MIRROR)

Me and actress Adjoa Andoh, who has recently starred in Netflix's Bridgerton (DAILY MIRROR)

A moment of formation with actors David Harewood OBE, and Adjoa Andoh for her iconic role in Netflix's popular Bridgerton as Lady Danbury, both won the Powerlist award for best actors. They united and welcomed fellow nominee Nonsos Anozi, known for his performance in Game of Thrones. Adjoa lit the room with her powerful speech highlighting that the Powerlist awards give us heart and how lucky we are to celebrate the stunning people in all the different fields of work. She encouraged everyone to not be stuck up but to "network, network, network!" Exchange contacts, get to know one another, show them you exist! In her words, she beautifully ended, "after tonight we can go out into the world slightly taller, our hearts fuller and more joy to keep doing what we're doing."

Of course, I had to save the man of the night for last. Edward Enninful OBE. The former chief editor was awarded the most influential Black person in the UK, and after hearing his story it's no surprise why. The Ghanaian-born British editor had been discovered at the age of 16, and just two years later was appointed the fashion director of I-D magazine. He grew in excellence, working with Italian and American Vogue until in 2017 when he became the editor in chief of British Vogue. This was not only a personal accomplishment, but an accomplishment for the Black community as he was the first black editor-in-chief ever of the magazine. His direction of fashion was rumoured to not always be highly welcomed but working with A list celebs like Rihanna, Serena Williams, Oprah, and Beyonce (to name a few) his work was received with praise throughout his empire.

Edward was welcomed to the stage with a full standing ovation from the crowd, cheering for a man who had broken all boundaries and opened the doors for an entire generation of future young, Black editors to follow in his mighty steps. His heartful speech reminded us that as leaders we are called to a community to help future generations, and was met to a series of applauds. But, for me the ending of this speech was even just as moving. Edward encouraged for a time where it won't be uncommon to see Black people in prestigious places winning awards. His story and presence is a reminder that we must be able to find, connect and hone our talent to not just attempt to change our community, and our line of work, but the world, and not just be the first to break boundaries, but making sure you're not the last.

Serena Richards