Organisers of the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA) have announced a programme of activities to celebrate this year’s Black History Month.
“Black History Month is about celebrating our roots and black excellence, hence the Black History and Lifestyle Award (BHLA) ceremony honours and commemorates the struggles, sacrifices, and extraordinary acts of service made by Africans throughout history and current. The BHLA recognises black heroes in all spheres of endeavour, including those who sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom we enjoy today and those who are still paving the road for the future.
“There are many distinct kinds of triumphs that merit recognition. But regardless of the degree of success, all admirable feats and successes share a great deal of tenacity, grit, and dedication.
“In search of a deep understanding among all, based on respect for each person’s ideology, opinion, religion, race, and gender, the ultimate goal is to increase the effective and beneficial use of knowledge and to create goodwill among people, nations, and governments,” the organisers said in a statement.
The 2023 BHLA, organisers said, will feature activities like runway fashion show, trade exhibition fair, hall of fame, charity Ball and exciting performances from top artistes and comedians across the country.
The hall of fame/ award night, they say, will celebrate the achievements of black heroes and heroines who epitomise excellence in their respective fields.
There will be awards in 14 different categories including education, fashion, leadership, IT, politics and sports.
Voting is open to all Africans including those in the Diaspora at the organisation’s website now.
“This year’s fashion runway show promises to feature and support talented youths such as House of SOTA, Tee Apparel and so many others to showcase their crafts in fashion and accessories.
“The trade exhibition fair is designed to connect business owners, buyers, journalists and business partners. It aims to acknowledge, nurture appreciation for, raise awareness of, and build excitement for Afrocentric brands globally, by providing avenues for their products to be showcased, promoted, networked, and sold. The expo supports black business owners both locally and in the diaspora, by promoting their brands to audiences and media partners home and abroad,” the statement by the organisers continued.
BHLA convener Folashade Balogun said her vision is to use the platform to give honorary recognitions to pasts and present individuals who have impacted the world with their activism, talents, innovations and achievements.
Mrs Balogun noted that this second edition is the global edition and is debuting in Lagos Nigeria. A second show, she said, is slated for Los Angeles, while the final show will be held in London later in the year.
The live awards show will be held on Sunday, February 5 at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria Island Lagos.
“It is an evening of glitz, glamour and quality entertainment with your hostess and host for the night Nancy Isime and Ayo Makun.
“It promises to be sizzling as fashionistas, socialites, entrepreneurs, diplomats, government executives and Black icons make their appearance on the red carpet, hosted by the fun and delectable duo of Eni Adeoluwa and Priscilla Ojo.
“We look forward to an exciting show and congratulate all the nominees in advance,” the statement by the organisers concluded.
