Youngsters of African and Caribbean descent were awarded for their achievements at a ceremony in Ealing .
The 10th Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards was held at the DoubleTree hotel in Ealing Common.
The event last Friday (July 4) was organised by the Descendants, a youth group for people originally from Africa and the Caribbean.
Mother of film director Steve McQueen , Mary McQueen, attended to present the first arts award in the name of her son, and the prize went to Camera Fearon, an artist, singer, actor, and musician who plays seven instruments and who has supported the Descendants for five years.
Margaret Noel, Descendants founder and co-ordinator, said: “All the children were highlights of the night. We had some fantastic feedback.
“There’s so much negativity in the press about young black people not achieving and as far as I am concerned that’s not true, there’s another side to the story that people do not get to see.
“I wanted to show our children that we can achieve things, we are just not recognised for it.
“I wrote to all the schools in the borough and asked them to nominate pupils of African and Caribbean descent, and all those shortlisted were invited to attend.
“Winners were given certificates, trophies and vouchers to spend in a range of places.”
The main performer of the ceremony named after the first black QC was Krishane, a young artist who has been recently signed by Atlantic Records.
The Descendants awards began in 2005 and the group is based in the Everyone Active Centre, Acton.
Winners
Primary:
Hanad Hussein- Excelling in all areas of education
Justin Jones- Students who work hard and achieve against all odds
Mansor Mussa- Male student of the year
Allana Andrews- Female student of the year
Jevon Fletcher & Kaltuun Adan- Excel in Sports
Fatima Elmi- Future leader
Shahmad Haid- Entrepreneurial qualities
Damilola Magbagbeola- Rt. Hon Lord Paul Boateng Award for Outstanding Primary Student
Secondary:
Shani-yaa Holness-McKenzie- Excel in all areas of education
Colette Mbang- Students who work hard and achieve against all odds
Babatomiwa Adebiyi- Male student of the year
Latonia Roswess- Female student of the year
Jai Ellis-Crook- Students who excel in arts
Erika Moreno- Future Leader
Keiron Noel- Students who excel in sports
Camara Fearon- Steve McQueen CBE award
Al-Amin Miller- Kim Noel award
Mas’ooda Canfield- Connie Mark BEM MBE award
Yaasmeen Muhammad- Willis Wilkie award
Paige Michel- Dr John Roberts CBE QC award