A new professional talent award, backed by Merlin Entertainments and EDF, has been launched to champion relatable professional Black role models to inspire, normalise diversity and tackle employment discrimination in sectors including (but not exclusive to) engineering, technology, Blue Chip companies and public sector organisations.

The inaugural Black Talent Awards provides a vital platform for championing both individual professionals and their achievements as well as employers and organisations that have made tangible and accountable efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion – whether in their own business or via wider societal initiatives that enhance the prospects and success of marginalised talent.  

Nominations are open across sector-specific categories spanning STEM, creative, charity and telecommunications among others, alongside Rising Star, Diversity Ally and a Judges’ Choice Special Honorary Award. The judging panel comprises a mixture of directors, culture, people officers and DE&I leaders from organisations including Sky, NatWest Group, Institute of Directors, Grant Thornton, Lloyds of London, EY, B:Music, and the University of Warwick.

The Black Talent Awards was established by Denise Myers, a veteran recruiter, CEO and founder of agency Evenfields and Evenfields Community – a grassroots organisation working with emerging Black talent that engenders prospects with a confident and resilient mindset, empowering them to plan and pursue ambitious careers in what can often be an intimidating and inherently hostile process.

“Society needs more relatable successful role models in the Black community to inspire all those at the grassroots that great achievement is possible; that glass ceilings can be smashed; that, despite the narratives that one should achieve ‘small’ and not dream big, that disadvantage can be turned into opportunity provided that the right support is given,” commented Myers.

Myers can personally relate to the plight of Black prospects navigating their way into professional life and the inherent setbacks inevitably faced – from application and job interview stage through to progression in employment – having experienced employment discrimination herself. Indeed, it was these very initial experiences that inspired her to go into recruitment to orchestrate change from within the system.

“Research shows that 41.6 per cent of young Black adults remain unemployed compared to just 12.4 per cent of their white counterparts (ONS, Sept 2021). I felt very strongly that there needed to be a dedicated, concerted effort to change these dismal statistics; to understand the determining factors preventing people of colour from applying for jobs, upskilling and progressing to properly engineer an impactful solution, not just initiatives that yielded vanity metrics,” Myers continued. “With The Black Talent Awards, I aim to dispel misconceptions that Black talent in professional careers are few and far between. Indeed, their achievements and the very unique backstories that have led to success despite the challenges need recognition and celebration.  

Dominique Sidley, Global Trade Strategy Director, Merlin Entertainments, commented: “Merlin Entertainments strives to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together. We are creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation. At Merlin, we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. Working in partnership with organisations like Evenfields enables us to develop a pipeline of opportunities, particularly for black talent interested in a career within the location-based entertainment industry. Merlin Entertainments is therefore delighted to be one of the headline sponsors of the forthcoming Evenfields Black Talent Awards, an evening of celebration showcasing some of the amazing achievements of Black Talent.”