Organizers of an awards night aimed at promoting black and minority ethnic (BME) businesses say it helps inspire others.
This will be the sixth year that the Suffolk BME Business Awards have been held, following the launch in 2016.
They are run by BSC Multicultural Services and Suffolk University.
Professor Gurpreet Jagpal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Business and Entrepreneurship, said: “We want to highlight the amazing things that different people coming to Suffolk are doing.”
The awards night will be held in November and will be held at the university’s waterfront building in Ipswich.
Professor Jagpal said: “My passion is to blur the lines between the world of education and the world of business and ensure our students and staff have opportunities to engage with industry.
“But also that they are going into business and supporting them with their education and skills needs as well, both now and in the future.”
Roland Gilbertson of ThinkBiznes won the 2022 Business of the Year award.
He said: “As a person of color and being able to support entrepreneurs, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or from black and minority ethnic communities, I think it’s important because we have made a huge contribution to this society.
“If we want to continue, we also have to be in a position to contribute economically.”
Another previous winner, Imani Sorhaindo, is the founder and CEO of KMT Rising.
She said: “I was made redundant and for me it was a huge boost to know that yes, I can do this.
“It gave me proof that, yes, as a black woman here in Suffolk, I can do this and it was an encouragement for other young people to do the same.”
The categories are:
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Business of the Year (Catering)
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Start up/New Business of the Year
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Female Entrepreneur of the Year
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Health Champion of the Year
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Business Person of the Year
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Community Business of the Year
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Charity of the Year
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Special Judges of the Year Award
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Business of the Year
Nominations close on Monday 30th September, with the evening celebration held on 26th November.
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