The change and inclusiveness of the Black Carpet Awards

Last weekend, the Black Carpet Awards hosted their second edition at the prestigious Teatro Manzoni in Milan. The event drew together hundreds of people from across the communities of fashion, art, music, food, entrepreneurship, design, technology, cinema, and business, all united in a shared mission to celebrate and elevate diverse and inclusive voices, particularly those making waves in Italy. The awards have quickly become more than just an event; they are a real movement for change, a platform amplifying underrepresented voices, and challenging the industries to embrace diversity at their core.

The evening began with a warm reception, followed by opening remarks from the event’s host, Tamu McPherson, alongside founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo. In her stirring words, Ngonmo reminded us of the responsibility we all bear in fostering societal change: «Like we always say in the Black community, when you see a battle, you have to pull up. You need to understand if those battles have values and can trigger a change in society, and then you pull up, no matter your color, your gender.» This sentiment set the tone for an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, creativity, and legacy in the pursuit of inclusivity.

The awards ceremony saw the distribution of ten honors, across five categories, with each category recognizing two exceptional recipients. In the Leaders of Change in Culture category, educator Cinizia Adanna Ebonite and independent curator and cultural producer Johanne Africott were honored for their efforts in driving cultural transformation. The Leaders of Change in Community awards went to the anti-racist initiative DEI Futuro Antirazzista, led by Alessia Reyna, and Olympic athlete Danielle Madam. Recognized for their groundbreaking creativity, the Leader of Change in Creativity Prize was awarded to the stylist and fashion consultant duo Sorelle Toledo and actor Alberto Malanchino. For Leader of Change in Entrepreneurship, haircare brand Afroricci, spearheaded by Alice Edun, and IT expert Ada Uno Abara were celebrated for their innovation and business acumen. The Legacy Prize was given to artist and cultural educator Justin Randolph Thompson, alongside creative director Miyuki Yajima, for their lasting impact on their fields.

Throughout the ceremony were three-look fashion shows from a remarkable group of young talents with diverse backgrounds, including Delvin, Udeesha Singh, Khalifa Farhat, Zineb Hazim, Paul Zenam, Phan Dang Hoang, Karim Daoudi, Taste of Moon by Luna Tsuki, Victor Hart, and Steve French. Their presentations added a vibrant, youthful energy to the night, emphasizing the importance of fashion as a powerful tool for change and cultural expression. The evening culminated with two special awards: The New Waves - celebrating ten up-and-coming creatives for their exceptional contributions, and the one-time Virgil Abloh Award, which honored young designer Romy Colzado. As Edward Buchanan presented the Virgil Abloh Award, he paid a heartfelt tribute to the late visionary, who left an indelible mark on fashion and Black representation. “It’s the unity of two things that are very close to my heart, young creatives, young visionaries that were like me, that were looking in the creative sphere for someone that looked like them, so that they could see a reflection of them,” Buchanan reflected. “Virgil was a very special person to me... He gave so much to me, and he saw all of us... he would be so proud to celebrate these young creators that work within the Italian space, as he was always there with us since the beginning.”

This year’s Black Carpet Awards did more than just celebrate individual achievement—it underscored the necessity of collective action and the ongoing fight for representation and equity. Through this event, the Black Carpet Awards continue to serve as a powerful reminder that change is not only possible but essential and that through unity, we can continue to uplift and amplify the voices of those driving that change.