The UK Black Comms Network is proud to announce the shortlist for its 2027 Trailblazer Awards, which celebrate and spotlight the outstanding contributions of Black PR, marketing, and media professionals across the UK.
The Trailblazer Awards recognise individuals and organisations who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in the communications industry. The judging panel included respected voices from across the sector, including Anita Boateng, President of Hanover Communications. Justin King, Director of Communications at n8n, Aysha Tull, News Correspondent for Channel 4 News, Ronke Lawal, Founder of Ariatu PR and Elizabeth Wiredu, PRWeek UK & Middle East News Reporter.
Kamiqua Lake, Founder UK Black Comms Network, says:
“The talent, creativity and leadership demonstrated across this year's entries has been truly inspiring. As ever, I’m grateful to our judges for giving up their time and helping us to select the shortlist; it was not an easy feat. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted. Their incredible achievements all deserve to be recognised and celebrated.”
This year, the awards, headline sponsor is Golin with additional sponsorship from John Doe, Hope&Glory, Colder, and the independent.
The 13 Trailblazer Award categories are:
Trailblazer of the Year | Supported by Golin
Bieneosa Ebite In-House Trailblazer of the Year | Supported by Coldr
Broadcaster of the Year | Supported by Hope&Glory
Breakthrough Talent Supported by Axe&Saw
Social Impact Award | Supported by the Independent
Campaign of the Year | Supported by John Doe
Cultural Impact of the Year | Supported by Coldr
Writing Excellence
Storyteller of the Year
Agency of the Year
Community Group of the Year
Podcaster of the Year
The Legacy Award | Supported by Golin
The Trailblazer shortlist celebrations will be held at long-term corporate partner Lloyds Banking Group’s HQ on 4th November 2026. The Trailblazer winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 25th February 2027, hosted at Kindred in London.
For more information, visit the UK Black Comms Network website
UK BCN Trailblazer Awards Shortlist
Please note the Cultural Impact, Legacy, Podcaster and Communicator of the Year awards. The winners will be announced on the night in February.
Trailblazer of the Year
Lara Tuboku-Metzger, Director | Burson
Tolu Akisanya, Founder / PR Consultant & Film Awards Specialist | Freelance
Matt Geer, Head of London Office | Social
Trent Payne, Former Creative Director | Havas Red UK
Natalie Whorms, Director, Adidas & Spotify | Burson
Sope Soetan, Publicist, Cultural Strategist and Writer | SS Publicity
Abiola Babarinde, Chief Strategist & Lead Consultant | Inner Circle Strategy
Jennifer Thomas, Managing Director, Enterprise & Strategy Communications | Fitch Group
Kristy Ebanks, Director | Coldr
Elroy Elvie, Senior Account Executive | John Doe
Kwaku Aning, Senior Director | FTI
Bieneosa Ebite In-house Professional of the Year
Shaffra Gray-Read, Director of Corporate & Community Affairs | KFC UK & Ireland
Dominique Gardiner, Acting Head of PR (Global) | Kurt Geiger
Josh Burrell, Media Manager | Tesco
Samiah Anderson, Head of Digital Regulation | techUK
Desirée Weston, Strategic Campaign Manager | Westminster City Council
Esther Akinola, Creator Manager | Linkedin
Pearl Saadi, Corporate Communications Director | Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation
Ngozi Emeagi, Director, Internal Communications, People and Corporate Functions | LSEG
Tom Willetts, Global Head of Communications, Global Private Banking and Wealth | HSBC
Breakthrough Talent
Chelcy Antwi, Influencer & Creator Marketing | Expedia Group
Lilly Koranteng, Senior Communications and Engagement Officer | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chelcie Thomas, Founder | Flysocialsuk
Samaaya Barrows, Senior Social and Content Account Manager | Burson
Amira Williams, Account Director | FleishmanHillard UK
Vanessa Thomas, Policy and Communications Manager | ScreenSkills
Muminah Koleoso, Writer, Journalist, Podcaster & Advocate
Kevon Mukabi, Digital Marketing Graduate | BSH Home Appliances Group
Tofunmi Akinde, Communications & Digital Strategist
Social Impact Campaign of the Year
Reema Samuel-Lewis, Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion Partnerships | Sky
EMERGE The ERG Community
Campaign of the Year
Michaila Otoo, Communications Manager | V&A East and Young V&A
Esther Oluga, Publicist, EMEA | BBC
Ayo Adepoju, Founder & Managing Director | We Plug GOOD Music
Agency of the Year
JAIKU
Future Brand Thinking
VAMP PR
We Plug Good Music
OneTwelve Agency
Writing Excellence of the Year
Sinai Fleary, News and Features | The Voice Media Group
L'oreal Blackett, Acting Commissioning Editor | The Stylist Group
Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content | British Vogue
Jerry Chiemeke, Freelancer | The British Blacklist
Funmi Fetto, Beauty & Wellness Director | British Vogue
Nicole Vassell, Freelancer
Broadcaster of the Year
Runako Celina, Investigative Journalist, Filmmaker & Reporter | BBC
Yemisi Adegoke, Senior Reporter and Presenter | BBC
Afua Hagan, Senior International Correspondent & Anchor, Broadcaster & Journalist | News Central & CTV News
Symeon Brown, Correspondent | Channel 4 News
Nels Abbey, Freelancer
Community Group of the Year
Black Things Black Friends, Zainab Swanzy
Bloodlines, Nnenna Ohaka
Black Introvert Week UK , Richard Etienne
Touchy Feely, Nellie Gbadebo
EMERGE
Minimally Social, Jaiye Elias
Storyteller of the Year
Lennina Ofori, Founder & Director | The Awareness Tap
Shola West, Founder | Shola West LTD
Jide Martin, Group Chief Executive Officer | Comic Republic Global Network and CR Motion+
Mphango Simwaka, EDI Community Voice | Blood Cancer UK
Lilly Koranteng, Senior Communications and Engagement Officer | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Creator of the Year
Kristie-Anne Woodman
Oladimeji Ajebile
Jide Martin
Paige Lewin
Hadley Ogarro
The Classic Manny
Hannah Ngakane
