Inspiring Future Generations: Wales Celebrates First Black Music Awards
Throughout the year, we’re sharing stories and memories from friends and colleagues who are leaders in the public realm - shining a light on the experiences and values that unite us through music, theatre, art, and culture.
Today, we celebrate Professor Uzo Iwobi, a trailblazer in heritage and cultural leadership during her 34 years living in Wales. Founder of two influential charities, Race Council Cymru and the African Community Centre, Uzo has served as a Specialist Adviser on Equalities to the Welsh Government and serves as an Independent Adviser to the Welsh Parliamentary Commission.
Earlier this month, Uzo, alongside her daughter, renowned composer, producer, musical director and BBC Radio Wales A- List Artist Ify Iwobi, launched a landmark event - the first Black Welsh Music Awards in Wales.
In conversation with Faerfield’s Roger Russell, Uzo shared the inspiration behind this groundbreaking initiative:
“There is so much Black talent in Wales, and yet it too often goes unrecognised as a vital part of Welsh culture. We wanted to inspire future generations by creating a platform for musical trailblazers, innovators, and future icons making music of Black origin here in Wales or connected to Wales and to celebrate their success.
"Ify’s vision is to establish an annual event with the impact and prestige of the MOBO UK Awards.
"The key to success has been the incredible support from across Wales — from individuals, organisations, and local and international contributors and at the heart of it, Black artists representing a rich mix of genres, from Afrobeats to R&B, Hip-Hop to Gospel. The BWMA showcased the artists shaping Wales’s sound, its communities, and its creative future.”
Hosted at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the event took place on 4th October, drawing a full house and thousands more joining in through social media outlets online.
As co-founder, Ify Iwobi reflected:
“This was more than an awards ceremony — we made history. For the first time, Black artists in Wales were recognised at the highest level, loudly affirming that their contributions are central to the nation’s cultural heartbeat.”
One of the most poignant moments of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dame Shirley Bassey, one of Ify and Uzo’s lifelong heroes and, in a happy coincidence, Roger’s late father’s favourite singer of all time.
That’s why these stories matter. Because there is more that brings us together than separates us.
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