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EVENT INFORMATION
The 2026 Black Talent Awards will be held on 2nd October.
Venue
For our 5th anniversary, we are taking you back to where it all began, this year's black tie ceremony will be held at Edgbaston Stadium, an award-winning conference, events and meeting venue with unforgettable views! Their dedicated, passionate, and experienced events team are working hard to make the BTA's 2026 an unforgettable experience.
Entertainment
In previous years we have been treated to some great entertainment. A number of amazing people have spoken and performed at the ceremony. Find information on some of them below and stay tuned for 2026 announcements!
Marverine Cole | Host
Marverine Cole, Hon DUniv. is a multi-award-winning broadcaster and journalist – best known as a newsreader on ITV1’s flagship breakfast programme, Good Morning Britain (GMB).
Marverine’s media career spans 38 years, and 2026 marks her celebrating 23 years in the industry – working as a Reporter, Documentary Producer and Presenter for many of the UK’s other leading broadcasters, including Sky News, BBC 5 Live, Radio 4 & Classic FM.
When not presenting TV News, she’s wears two other ‘hats’. She is Britain’s first ever Black female beer sommelier, making regular appearances alongside Alan Titchmarsh on his Sunday morning show, Love Your Weekend on ITV as his resident real ale & craft beer expert.
Marverine is also a wellbeing coach for women over 40 and a media trainer for female founders – helping women thrive at work & home and on screens & stages.
You can find out more by keeping up with Marverine on Midlife & Marvellous, her weekly Substack: marverinecole.substack.com OR by clicking the QR code above.
Marverine’s media career spans 38 years, and 2026 marks her celebrating 23 years in the industry – working as a Reporter, Documentary Producer and Presenter for many of the UK’s other leading broadcasters, including Sky News, BBC 5 Live, Radio 4 & Classic FM.
When not presenting TV News, she’s wears two other ‘hats’. She is Britain’s first ever Black female beer sommelier, making regular appearances alongside Alan Titchmarsh on his Sunday morning show, Love Your Weekend on ITV as his resident real ale & craft beer expert.
Marverine is also a wellbeing coach for women over 40 and a media trainer for female founders – helping women thrive at work & home and on screens & stages.
You can find out more by keeping up with Marverine on Midlife & Marvellous, her weekly Substack: marverinecole.substack.com OR by clicking the QR code above.
Rakeem Omar
Rakeem Omar is an award-winning investigative journalist & BBC television & radio presenter. He is currently a presenter at BBC Radio 1Xtra, covering shows from his hometown of Birmingham.
He was the first black Breakfast Show presenter on BBC Radio WM, interviewing former Prime Ministers, artists like RAYE & icons such as Alison Hammond. Rakeem has also presented for BBC Radio 1 as part of the Christmas guest presenter takeover of 2020 showcasing the best & emerging talent - he went on to host Early Friday Breakfast, Weekend Breakfast cover & multiple Radio 1 Big Weekends.
As a Channel 4 Investigative Journalism MA alumnus, Rakeem has worked both on screen and in production with the likes of BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 & MTV on current affairs & documentary programmes.
Rakeem has hosted at some of the biggest events, including the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Festival, TEDx, The Mobos, Pride of Birmingham Awards and more.
As CEO of OnePointThree Percent CIC, he now aims to empower the next generation of young journalists & storytellers from disenfranchised communities.
He was the first black Breakfast Show presenter on BBC Radio WM, interviewing former Prime Ministers, artists like RAYE & icons such as Alison Hammond. Rakeem has also presented for BBC Radio 1 as part of the Christmas guest presenter takeover of 2020 showcasing the best & emerging talent - he went on to host Early Friday Breakfast, Weekend Breakfast cover & multiple Radio 1 Big Weekends.
As a Channel 4 Investigative Journalism MA alumnus, Rakeem has worked both on screen and in production with the likes of BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 & MTV on current affairs & documentary programmes.
Rakeem has hosted at some of the biggest events, including the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Festival, TEDx, The Mobos, Pride of Birmingham Awards and more.
As CEO of OnePointThree Percent CIC, he now aims to empower the next generation of young journalists & storytellers from disenfranchised communities.
Sonaire
Sonaire is a premier function band built to bring the vibes; whatever the occasion, whatever the genre. From high-energy pop and R&B to funk, soul, rock, dance and everything in between, Sonaire delivers a soundtrack that keeps the room moving all night long. Featuring the crème de la crème of musical talent, Sonaire is made up of elite musicians and vocalists who have performed, worked, and toured with some of the world’s top artists, including Wizkid, Sugababes, Gabrielle, Stormzy and All Saints.
Known for our electric stage presence and effortless crowd connection, we don’t just play songs, we create moments. Every performance is delivered with precision, style and a contagious energy that lifts the atmosphere from the first note to the final encore. What sets Sonaire apart is our ability to blend world-class musicianship with a true “party-first” mindset; reading the room, tailoring the set, and keeping the energy sky-high all night long with a polished, professional delivery.
Please email info@wearesonaire.com for bookings or visit their site by clicking here.
Known for our electric stage presence and effortless crowd connection, we don’t just play songs, we create moments. Every performance is delivered with precision, style and a contagious energy that lifts the atmosphere from the first note to the final encore. What sets Sonaire apart is our ability to blend world-class musicianship with a true “party-first” mindset; reading the room, tailoring the set, and keeping the energy sky-high all night long with a polished, professional delivery.
Please email info@wearesonaire.com for bookings or visit their site by clicking here.
DJ Mexy | After-party Set
Mexy is an international DJ who brings contemporary culture and style to the scene and makes music according to what the audience wants to hear.
Mexy is also an entertainer and event’s organiser for over 15 years. His drive to succeed along with his passion for music has seen Mexy’s reputation exceed him. Mexy has DJ’d for artists such as, Koffee, Chronixx, Super Cat, Stylo G and Giggs.
Mexy is also an entertainer and event’s organiser for over 15 years. His drive to succeed along with his passion for music has seen Mexy’s reputation exceed him. Mexy has DJ’d for artists such as, Koffee, Chronixx, Super Cat, Stylo G and Giggs.
Marverine Cole | Host
Marverine Cole, Hon DUniv. is a multi-award-winning broadcaster and journalist – best known as a newsreader on ITV1’s flagship breakfast programme, Good Morning Britain (GMB).
Marverine’s media career spans 38 years, and 2026 marks her celebrating 23 years in the industry – working as a Reporter, Documentary Producer and Presenter for many of the UK’s other leading broadcasters, including Sky News, BBC 5 Live, Radio 4 & Classic FM.
When not presenting TV News, she’s wears two other ‘hats’. She is Britain’s first ever Black female beer sommelier, making regular appearances alongside Alan Titchmarsh on his Sunday morning show, Love Your Weekend on ITV as his resident real ale & craft beer expert.
Marverine is also a wellbeing coach for women over 40 and a media trainer for female founders – helping women thrive at work & home and on screens & stages.
You can find out more by keeping up with Marverine on Midlife & Marvellous, her weekly Substack: marverinecole.substack.com OR by clicking here.
Marverine’s media career spans 38 years, and 2026 marks her celebrating 23 years in the industry – working as a Reporter, Documentary Producer and Presenter for many of the UK’s other leading broadcasters, including Sky News, BBC 5 Live, Radio 4 & Classic FM.
When not presenting TV News, she’s wears two other ‘hats’. She is Britain’s first ever Black female beer sommelier, making regular appearances alongside Alan Titchmarsh on his Sunday morning show, Love Your Weekend on ITV as his resident real ale & craft beer expert.
Marverine is also a wellbeing coach for women over 40 and a media trainer for female founders – helping women thrive at work & home and on screens & stages.
You can find out more by keeping up with Marverine on Midlife & Marvellous, her weekly Substack: marverinecole.substack.com OR by clicking here.
Rakeem Omar
Rakeem Omar is an award-winning investigative journalist & BBC television & radio presenter. He is currently a presenter at BBC Radio 1Xtra, covering shows from his hometown of Birmingham.
He was the first black Breakfast Show presenter on BBC Radio WM, interviewing former Prime Ministers, artists like RAYE & icons such as Alison Hammond. Rakeem has also presented for BBC Radio 1 as part of the Christmas guest presenter takeover of 2020 showcasing the best & emerging talent - he went on to host Early Friday Breakfast, Weekend Breakfast cover & multiple Radio 1 Big Weekends.
As a Channel 4 Investigative Journalism MA alumnus, Rakeem has worked both on screen and in production with the likes of BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 & MTV on current affairs & documentary programmes.
Rakeem has hosted at some of the biggest events, including the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Festival, TEDx, The Mobos, Pride of Birmingham Awards and more.
As CEO of OnePointThree Percent CIC, he now aims to empower the next generation of young journalists & storytellers from disenfranchised communities.
He was the first black Breakfast Show presenter on BBC Radio WM, interviewing former Prime Ministers, artists like RAYE & icons such as Alison Hammond. Rakeem has also presented for BBC Radio 1 as part of the Christmas guest presenter takeover of 2020 showcasing the best & emerging talent - he went on to host Early Friday Breakfast, Weekend Breakfast cover & multiple Radio 1 Big Weekends.
As a Channel 4 Investigative Journalism MA alumnus, Rakeem has worked both on screen and in production with the likes of BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 & MTV on current affairs & documentary programmes.
Rakeem has hosted at some of the biggest events, including the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Festival, TEDx, The Mobos, Pride of Birmingham Awards and more.
As CEO of OnePointThree Percent CIC, he now aims to empower the next generation of young journalists & storytellers from disenfranchised communities.
Sonaire
Sonaire is a premier function band built to bring the vibes; whatever the occasion, whatever the genre. From high-energy pop and R&B to funk, soul, rock, dance and everything in between, Sonaire delivers a soundtrack that keeps the room moving all night long. Featuring the crème de la crème of musical talent, Sonaire is made up of elite musicians and vocalists who have performed, worked, and toured with some of the world’s top artists, including Wizkid, Sugababes, Gabrielle, Stormzy and All Saints.
Known for our electric stage presence and effortless crowd connection, we don’t just play songs, we create moments. Every performance is delivered with precision, style and a contagious energy that lifts the atmosphere from the first note to the final encore. What sets Sonaire apart is our ability to blend world-class musicianship with a true “party-first” mindset; reading the room, tailoring the set, and keeping the energy sky-high all night long with a polished, professional delivery.
Please email info@wearesonaire.com for bookings or visit their site by clicking here.
Known for our electric stage presence and effortless crowd connection, we don’t just play songs, we create moments. Every performance is delivered with precision, style and a contagious energy that lifts the atmosphere from the first note to the final encore. What sets Sonaire apart is our ability to blend world-class musicianship with a true “party-first” mindset; reading the room, tailoring the set, and keeping the energy sky-high all night long with a polished, professional delivery.
Please email info@wearesonaire.com for bookings or visit their site by clicking here.
DJ Mexy | After-party Set
Mexy is an international DJ who brings contemporary culture and style to the scene and makes music according to what the audience wants to hear.
Mexy is also an entertainer and event’s organiser for over 15 years. His drive to succeed along with his passion for music has seen Mexy’s reputation exceed him. Mexy has DJ’d for artists such as, Koffee, Chronixx, Super Cat, Stylo G and Giggs.
Mexy is also an entertainer and event’s organiser for over 15 years. His drive to succeed along with his passion for music has seen Mexy’s reputation exceed him. Mexy has DJ’d for artists such as, Koffee, Chronixx, Super Cat, Stylo G and Giggs.
Attire
The ceremony is a black tie event.
Register interest
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