From the moment guests arrived on the red carpet, there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. Conversations flowed easily between old friends and new connections, while the room buzzed with the kind of energy that only comes when people gather with a shared purpose. Dressed in an array of stunning contemporary evening wear to beautifully crafted traditional African attire, attendees transformed the venue into a shimmering showcase of culture, identity and pride from the very start.

As performer TMJ prepared to open the evening with ‘Circle of Life’, he reflected on what the night represented, describing his excitement to witness “greatness and excellence” within the African community. It proved an apt summary of what would follow.

Hosted by Daps and SherryJayne, and Yvonne Reedah for the Creators Awards, the evening combined live performances from TMJ, Cherie D’Avino, May We REiiGN and Cold Hell, with recognition and community impact in a programme designed not simply to celebrate achievement but to create visibility. Throughout the evening, the message was clear; representation matters, recognition matters, and creating opportunities and inspiration for others matters.

The awards themselves highlighted the extraordinary breadth of talent being recognised. Categories spanned AI and technology, business and finance, education, fashion, food, music, podcasting, diversity and inclusion, demonstrating the many different ways African creators are influencing contemporary culture and industry. Throughout the evening, there was a recurring sense that barriers were being broken down and new opportunities created through connection and conversation.

What made AFRIBALL 2026 particularly striking was the way success was framed not simply as personal achievement, but as something rooted in community. Time and again, speakers and award recipients spoke about support networks, mentorship, collaboration and creating opportunities and pathways for others. There was a clear sense that recognition for one individual represented progress for many.

Speaking just before the start of the award ceremony, artist, academic and spoken word performer Claire Ogah described a philosophy that seemed to echo throughout the room; “For Africa, we believe in living, we believe in loving, and we believe in celebration.”

That spirit was everywhere, and in volume.

Performers shared stages with entrepreneurs, community leaders celebrated alongside creators, new connections were made between courses, and between industries. While individual achievements were recognised, the evening never felt focused solely on personal success. Instead, it felt rooted in something larger, a collective determination to champion talent, culture and opportunity.

Singer-songwriter Cherie D’Avino, who performed during the evening, perhaps captured the mood best when she spoke of being surrounded by “so much talent in the room”. Looking around the Assembly Rooms, it was difficult to disagree.

As the evening progressed, the focus shifted towards special recognition and cultural leadership, with honours celebrating individuals whose impact extends beyond their own professional success. These moments added an additional layer of significance to the event, reinforcing the idea that visibility matters, not simply for recognition, but for inspiring future generations.

One of the evening’s standout moments came with an address from Dame Chi Onwurah DBE MP, whose presence underscored the growing recognition of the importance of diversity, representation and opportunity within the region’s cultural and economic landscape, as well as a nod to Jane Austen’s storyline in Pride and Prejudice, reflecting the depth of cultural availability in Newcastle even at her time of writing. A fantastic circle of life moment for all intents and purposes.

Alongside keynote speeches and presentations, including from AFRIBALL founder Tèinyé Boyle, the event continually reinforced the message that the African diaspora is not only contributing to life in the Northeast but actively helping to shape its future.

With sponsors The Legacy Fund, Young Crown Foundation and Stur Africa, the Creators Awards celebrated an impressive range of winners, including Bamidele Badmos in Pop Culture, Hyperbeat in Music and Sound, Celebrity DJ Sammy in DJ, Dayse Cristina in AI and Pictures, Sonia S Ndidi in Art and Design, Camilla Ifeoma in Beauty and Makeup, Bukie Adebola-Ezeh in Business and Finance and Makinde Gbolahan in Tech and Gadgets. Other categories recognised achievements in education, film, diversity and inclusion, food, and podcasting, reflecting the diversity of talent, innovators and storytellers thriving within African communities today, creating impact both locally and globally.

The evening also highlighted the growing influence of African creators within the digital space. As interviewer Vivica Anuforo explained, part of the mission was to celebrate young Black creators and “let the world know what’s happening in Newcastle”. In that respect, AFRIBALL succeeded emphatically

 As awards were presented and stories shared, the evening became a reminder that creativity is not confined by geography. The talent recognised on stage represented industries, disciplines and communities that continue to enrich the cultural fabric of the Northeast while maintaining strong connections to wider African heritage and identity.

By the time the band Lagos to Longbenton, music artist Kansah and DJ Sushi took over for the Culture Party, the formal proceedings had given way to full-on celebration. The dancefloor filled, conversations continued, and the sense of collective achievement in terms of visibility, recognition and belonging remained tangible. It was certainly an evening where conversations will be continued for many months to come.

Perhaps the most memorable reflection came from one attendee who described being surrounded by people who understood the significance of the occasion, adding: “I’m just happy because I’m in the space where I’m with my kind.” In a single sentence, it captured exactly why AFRIBALL matters, and it was clear from every angle, whatever your ‘kind’ was, you were welcome.

In a region that continues to embrace greater diversity and cultural representation, AFRIBALL feels like an event whose significance extends far beyond a single night. It is a platform for recognition, a catalyst for connection, elevation, and a celebration of the creativity, innovation and resilience that continue to enrich communities across the Northeast and beyond. If this year’s event demonstrated anything, it is that the future is being shaped by a remarkable generation of creators, entrepreneurs and changemakers, and AFRIBALL is ensuring their stories are seen, heard and celebrated.

Congratulations must go to Tèinyé and the whole team (especially Mannie, my north star for the evening) that made this happen, as well as the incredible host of the red carpet, Glitz on Heels. And if this is just the first of many events to come, I cannot wait to see what happens next.

(A video of interviews and media from the event will be available shortly.)

3rd June 2026