Monday 20-08-2018 - 09:00

The panel of judges has now been confirmed for the Bristol BME Powerlist. The judges will help to shape the final 100 names on the project. The Bristol BME Powerlist list aims to showcase Bristol’s 100 most inspiring, successful and influential Black and Minority Ethnic People. Nominations opened earlier this year and now the final 100 names to appear on the list are being shortlisted. 

The project is a joint partnership between the University, Bristol Students’ Union, Bristol Live and Bristol 24/7 to showcase the diverse city of Bristol.  

The motivation behind the list is to improve links between students and the wider Bristol community, and to provide students with more visible BME role models to inspire them in their own careers, activities and engagement with the city. 

Shortlisted nominees will be listed under nine different categories which are each being judged by a local representative from that category. The categories and judges are:

•    Activism and Campaigning – Judged by Sado Jirde, Director of the Black South West Network
•    Arts, Culture and Sport – Judged by Zahrah Ash-Harper, Producer at the Watershed
•    Business and Technology – Judged by Joyann Boyce, Founder of The Social Detail
•    Community Leaders, Charity and Volunteering – Judged by Sam Budd, CEO of Bristol SU
•    Local Government and Public Sector – Judged by Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Communities (Public Health, Public Transport, Libraries, Parks), Events and Equalities
•    Media and Journalism – Judged by Euella Jackson, Freelance Content Creator
•    Music and Nightlife – Judged by DJ Styles, Ujima Radio
•    Students – Judged by Chanté Joseph, BME network co-chair 2017-18 and Eva Larkai, BME network chair 2018-19
•    University Staff – Judged by Rebecca Scott, Co-Chair of the BAME Staff Advisory Group

Sado Jirde, Director of the Black South West Network, said:

“BSWN is delighted and proud to be supporting the BME Powerlist initiative, aimed at celebrating Black excellence in the city by providing role models for the next generation to motivate and inspire them. Furthermore, the list demonstrates the diverse talents that exist within the community that often goes unnoticed. It has been a great honour to be part of the judging panel.”

Funding for the project has been granted by the University of Bristol and a physical publication will be distributed by Bristol 24/7 during September. 

Each of the judges will be featured in the publication in addition to the official Bristol BME Powerlist. 10 people will be listed in each category with one featured person, except students which will feature a list of 20 and two featured people. 

The official BME Powerlist launch event will take place on Saturday 27 October as part of Bristol SU’s Black History Month celebrations.