2012 Media Pack

www.blackyouthachievements.org

“Join the movement. Create a revolution. There is a success story within everyone.”

BYA (Black Youth Achievements) are a

London based award winning social

enterprise who believe that “There is a

success story within everyone”

Vision: BYA’s vision is to see equality of

opportunities and positive representations of

our young people.

Mission: The mission of BYA is to be a

vehicle of change. Creating a platform of

youth leadership and role models who will

break down social barriers and lead the way

for future generations to aspire, excel and

achieve personally, socially and

economically.

Values: BYA are committed to the growth

and development of young people based on

a foundation of: respect of self and others,

self- belief and determination, integrity and

legacy.

About BYA

The concept of BYA (Black Youth

Achievements) began in February 2008

when the founder Kay Oldroyd felt

compelled to challenge the negative

portrayal of young people of black African /

black Caribbean (including mixed) heritage

in the UK.

With a steady increase in the numbers of

young (predominantly male) people

becoming victims of gang activity, knife and

gun crime, robbery, under achievement at

school and more likely to be unemployed,

the lack of positive visual role models and

success stories of black youth needed to be

redressed and retold.

Registered as a community interest

company in October 2008, BYA created and

hosted the UK’s first ever national awards

ceremony in November 2009 for the

recognition of young black African / black

Caribbean (including mixed) heritage

individuals between the ages of 8 – 25 in a

range of categories.

This ground-breaking event served as a

platform of acknowledgement, inspiration

and motivation not just for the nominees and

recipients of awards, but to their peers and

wider groups.

The BYA Awards are unique because of the

wide audience that it captures. They are

open to those between the ages of 8 to 25

living throughout the UK (including Northern

Ireland) and encompass a variety of different

categories to be nominated in:-

Categories

The Arts – Visual, Creative and

Performing

Business & Enterprise

Choices – Making a positive change

to lifestyle

Community

Education

Sports

Technology

Mother of the Year (open to all ages)

Father of the Year (open to all ages)

Personal Development Organisation

of the Year

Further categories will be introduced year by

year as the organisation expands.

BYA is now in its 4th year and to date has:-

helped over 700 people gain

recognition for their hard work and

personal accomplishments through

the annual BYA Awards

assisted over 400 people with

education and training advice &

guidance through their Big Lottery

funded Careers Day in July 2010

provided volunteering opportunities

for over 100 people at the various

BYA events from 2009 to present

created a leadership talent pool of

36 inspiring individuals that future

generations will look to for

inspiration

has received 7 accolades

reached an audience throughout the

UK, Europe, Africa and U.S

BYA Ambassadors

Current and previous award winners have

been invited to become BYA Ambassadors.

They will become a voice for young people

in the UK, creating an awareness of the

achievements of black youth (black African/

black Caribbean / including mixed heritage).

They will empower and encourage other

young people to explore and reach their own

potential, creating positive role models that

will be visual throughout communities,

helping to counteract the destructive

negative media stereotypes.

BYA Ambassadors will be the face of Black

Youth Achievements and represent the

organisation at schools, functions and

events throughout the year, bridging the gap

between young people, communities and

business. This is an exciting development

for BYA and supports their vision and

mission.

BYA Products & Services

Annual BYA Awards – held in November during GEW (Global Entrepreneurship Week)

Mentoring Services

Personal Development Programmes

School Outreach Programme

Ambassador Programme – Launch May 2012

Martial Arts School – Launch July 2012

BYA’s “An audience with………..” – Launch August 2012

Spelling Bee part of BYA’s initiative to raise Literacy standards – Launch September 2012

Sponsors & Supporters

Company Achievements

GEW High Impact Award 2009 (www.gew.org.uk)

GEW Outstanding Impact Award 2010

Big Lottery Funding 2010 (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk)

Winner of the ‘Volunteers Award’ at London Peace Week 2010 (www.dreamcentre.org.uk/images/PeaceBriefspreadnew.pdf)

Director Kay Oldroyd named on Black Women in Europe’s inaugural ‘Powerlist’ 2010 (www.blog.blackwomenineurope.com/2010/12/03/a-list-of-our-own-the-most-powerful-black-women-in-europe/)

Director Kay Oldroyd featured in the ‘Black 100+ Legacy Book’

GEW High Impact Event 2011

Featured in the BBC documentary ‘Up in Flames’ first aired Thursday December 15th 2011 on BBC1

Director Kay Oldroyd nominated as a Fellow of the RSA in 2012 (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)

Contact information

Black Youth Achievements CIC @byacic Black Youth Achievements

Telephone:- 020 8677 8009

Mobile:- 07908 258 681

Email:- admin@blackyouthachievements.org

Website:- www.blackyouthachievements.org

“Join the movement. Create a revolution. There is a success story within everyone.”

BYA (Black Youth Achievements CIC) – a registered company in England & Wales 06717790. 135 Maple Road, London SE20 8LP