More than 20 young people of African and Caribbean descent from across Ealing have been recognised at the 18th Annual Dr John Roberts QC. MBE award ceremony which took place on 8 July 2023 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Ealing Common.
Organised by Acton-based Descendants, a 30-year-old charity for children and young people with its main focus on African and Caribbean culture, nominations came from all across Ealing and its primary schools, secondary schools and special educational needs schools.
The categories for awards included: ‘Excels in all areas of education’, ‘Excels in sports’, ‘Entrepreneurial qualities’, ‘Works hard and achieves against all odds’ and ‘Excels in arts’.
Previous years winners have gone on to achieve further success. These include: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal Footballer), Tatiana Gailard-Morris (Commercial Pilot), and Yethrib Mohamed (Oxford Graduate and A&E Medical Doctor).
Descendants founder and director, Margaret Noel said of the awards: “This year as always, the nominees were exceptional! It is mind-blowing to see the wealth of talent we have within the young people across the Ealing Borough. We are continually bombarded with negative narratives about children of African and Caribbean descent.”
Ms Noel added: “Considering the current climate, to see these young people being recognised for their efforts is heartwarming. These are the stories that need to be shared, not only to celebrate these young achievers but also to motivate others. Being at the awards ceremony was inspirational. I would like to see the month of July recognised as an education and attainment month, so we can celebrate all children’s achievements.”
The awards ceremony was attended by local councillors and other dignitaries including Mayor of Ealing – Councillor Hitesh Tailor, Councillor Callum Anderson, Councillor Grace Quansah, Marcella Phelan MBE, Councillor Peter Mason, Dr Jak Beula, Sister Monica Twyang, Carol Sam, Candice Rodney-Sobers and Sir Steve McQueen OBE’s mother – Mary McQueen, in addition to Mrs Eulette Roberts and Tony Roberts.
Primary School winners list
| Primary School | Category Won | ||
| Aaliyah | Greenfield | Ravenor Primary School | Excels in all areas of education |
| Reuel | Abel-Solomon | Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School | Works hard and achieves against all odds |
| Hamdi | Mohammed | Clifton Primary School | Excels in arts |
| Kaide | Williams | Greenwood Primary School | Excels in sports |
| Elijah | Williams | St Raphael’s Catholic Primary School | Excels in STEM |
| Lauryn Rose | Teixeira | Holy Family Catholic Primary School | Entrepreneurial qualities |
| Mikolaj Osei | Yeboah | Ravenor Primary School | Future Leader |
Secondary School winners list
| Secondary School | Category Won | ||
| Eyitomilola | Omotayo | The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls | Excels in all areas of education |
| Salem | Woldehiwot | The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls | Works hard and achieves against all odds |
| Genieva | Lawrence | The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School | Excels in arts |
| Alexys | Archie | Northolt High School | Excels in sports |
| Ahmed | Basar | Northolt High School | Excels in STEM |
| Leslie | Osayomwanbor | The Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School | Future Leader |
Special awards winners
| School | Names Award Won | ||
| Reuel | Brand | Greenwood | Lennox Thomas |
| Lauryn Rose | Teixeira | Holy Family | Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE |
| Kaison | Stewart | Cardinal Wiseman | Jamal Edwards MBE |
| Liberty-Eve | Lourie | Descendants | Kim Noel |
| Imaani | Akinkunle | Twyford | Willis Wilkie |
| Elise | Ansah | Descendants | Connie Marks MBE BEM |
| Ida | Brooke | Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls | Sir Steve McQueen CBE |
| Naomi-Lourdes | Tettey | Twyford | Rt. Hon. Lord Paul Boateng |
| Daring Michael | Sylvester | Cardinal Wiseman | Dr Abdullah Gulaid |
| Salem | Woldehiwot | Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls | Dr John Anthony Roberts QC CBE |
