The Power of a Man Awards - 2024
Boys 2 Men Nominees
We are celebrating our YOUNG men of colour and their achievements.
Please take the time to read through the amazing contributions made by each and every one of our worthy young nominees this year. These young men are our future and should be acknowledged and celebrated now, while we watch them grow and develop into future entrepreneurs, social justice warriors and role models for us all.
Please take the time to read their stories and place your vote.
VOTING NOW CLOSED
Danté John-Lewis
I’m Dante John-Lewis, an 18-year-old British Dominican author and illustrator currently working on multiple anime-inspired series in the form of novellas, working my way to making manga, also known as Japanese comics.
I am the sole creator behind an ongoing novella, soon-to-be manga, series called, ‘Souls of Ultima’ and the upcoming series, ‘Kyöki no Senso.’ I’ve made at least seven books starting from the age of 14, where I used my time to focus more on getting used to the manga style through an online series called, ‘Pandora’s Land.’ This continued until I was 16, when I moved on to making books seriously and off entirely original concepts.
Dante’s mum adds… Dante has been living with high-level Tonic Clonic Epilepsy! He has grand Mal seizures and has lost a large portion of his childhood memories. Even with his daily difficulties, he has written 8 anime series books! He has created the series from scratch and does all the illustrations and publishing himself!
Although shy and reserved, he is incredibly gifted and believes that he can single-handedly bring the black culture into a predominantly Japanese industry!
He truly is inspirational because I believe that in a world of young black men being drawn down by society’s pressures, he still manages to reach for his dreams with all the strength and determination he can, despite living with a major disability.
Many thanks in advance for the opportunity to shine a light on his greatness
ON BEING A YOUNG BLACK MAN…
“Being a young black man gives me a sense of determination in this current society – determination to prove the false stereotypes wring.”
Ki'juan Whitton
Alongside my artistic pursuits, I strived to nurture my academic strengths and the opportunities they would allow. I went on to study and practice architecture, a field so vital to our societal and cultural development, but also special to me, allowing my design skills and technical skills to merge. I am also an avid social activist. Works of activism have always been important to me since a young age, however since the incident regarding George Floyd during 2020, I experienced not just a deal of urgency and compassion for the scenario, but also witnessed such great power and community.
Despite being young, I believe my voice holds great power and encourages others to support, therefore I use my resources to assist these causes to the best of my ability. I have connected young creatives together to support communities in need, such as collecting donations for the Caribbean islands amidst the hurricane, or most recently bringing artists across London together to fundraise money to provide aid for the recent atrocities in the Middle East and Congo.
ON BEING A YOUNG BLACK MAN…
“To me, to be a young black man is both a great ask and great gift. To be a young black man is to be strong, yet to be kind with the world. To be powerful, yet responsible. To find drive in your joy and virtue in the growth and the struggle. To love smarter not harder. To always give grace to yourself and others. To always maintain gratitude and humility in your success. To strive for greatness, and when you have achieved it, strive even further.
To me, being a young black man is coming to terms with the black man you need and that you wish to see in the world, and being him each day to the best of your ability. To be unapologetically yourself and inspire others to do the same. To be a symbol to others to recognise how you look, how you sound, where you are from, who you are, to be the most glorious gifts you have been graced with. To me, what it means to be a young black man, is to be a young, black king.”
Cameron Sheridan
My name is Cameron Sheridan, and I am a 19-year-old Black Caribbean and African student currently pursuing a degree in Economics at Birkbeck University. I grew up in Dagenham and now live in South Ockendon. My childhood was challenging, as I struggled with ADHD and was often excluded from the classroom, spending much of my time in isolation.
Teachers wrote me off early on, damaging my self-esteem and belief in myself. Despite these adversities, I am proud to have completed my A-levels in Business, Banking & Finance, and Media Studies, and to be continuing my education at university.
ON BEING A YOUNG BLACK MAN…
“Being Black to me, means taking pride in my culture’s strength and resilience while pushing through challenges. It’s about never forgetting our history and helping to shape a better future generation.”
Ezekiel Wekpe
Ezekiel, an 18-year-old student, has just achieved exceptional A-level results and is now about to embark on an exciting journey at university, where he will be studying Natural Sciences. His curiosity about the world around him is matched by a strong passion for helping others. This academic drive is balanced by Ezekiel’s dedication to sports, especially basketball. As an enthusiastic player, he has spent countless hours on the court, refining his skills and cultivating a strong sense of teamwork and discipline.
In addition to basketball, Ezekiel is committed to maintaining his physical fitness through regular gym sessions. This commitment not only boosts his athletic performance but also enhances his overall well-being.
ON BEING A YOUNG BLACK MAN…
“Being a young Black man involves navigating a complex identity shaped by culture, history, and contemporary social dynamics. It means carrying the legacy of resilience and pride from ancestors who fought for equality and civil rights. This identity often comes with a deep sense of community, family bonds, and rich cultural heritage.
However, it also means facing unique challenges, including systemic racism, stereotypes, and societal expectations. Young Black men often must work harder to prove themselves in various settings, from academics to the workplace. They might encounter discrimination or prejudice but also show remarkable strength and perseverance in overcoming these barriers.
Being a young Black man today also means being a voice for change and advocating for justice and equality. It involves balancing personal aspirations with the collective struggle for a better future. It’s a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and the constant quest for dignity and respect in a world that is still grappling with issues of race and identity.”
Tai Nwaka
My name is Tai Nwaka and if you haven’t already guessed, Fredi Nwaka is my father. Most would say a hard foot step to follow but for me, I consider myself blessed to have such a great role model. I was given 1 minute to live as I was born with a severe heart defect called Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. 3 open heart surgeries later I have made it to 17.
I am not very academic but have a zest for music and acting where I excel. I’ve featured in a number of Film projects and I’m excited for what the future holds. I am also working on my first EP called ‘Born 2WICE’ as i feel I’ve been given a second chance at life.
I really want to use some of my past experiences to help deter young people from getting involved in gangs and crime.