BLACK CARPET AWARDS
The Winners of the Second Edition
The Black Carpet Awards took place in September 21, 2024, during Milan Fashion Week, in the stunning setting of Teatro Manzoni, one of the city’s most iconic and historic venues. The event, created to celebrate Change Leaders committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the fields of fashion, design, art, cuisine, music, technology, business, sports, and cinema, featured five award categories, with a total of 10 winners divided into two groups: five chosen by the jury and five by the public. A new addition this year was the introduction of the Virgil Abloh Award, a special recognition dedicated to young POC (People of Color) creatives who are making their mark in the creative industry.
Founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo expressed her excitement about the growth of the event, stating:
“I am filled with pride and emotion. This event is so much more than just an awards ceremony; it is a powerful platform to celebrate and uplift those who are often invisible in our society. It is a reminder of the importance of visibility, recognition, and the profound impact that diversity, equity, and inclusion have in the creative industry. By honoring these Change Leaders, we are not only celebrating their achievements but also inspiring others to continue driving meaningful progress.”
Michelle Francine Ngommo
Founder & CEO of Afro Fashion Association and The Black Carpets Awards
Originally from Cameroon, Michelle Ngonmo moved to Italy as a child, where she quickly developed a fascination with the world of communication. She earned a first-level degree in multimedia and audiovisual communication and a second-level degree in modern languages. Michelle gained valuable international experience through internships, including at the Ministry of Culture in Brussels and the University of Cameroon.
Upon returning to Italy, she worked as a press officer for ALLTV, the first multicultural web network. In 2015, Michelle founded Afro Fashion, a cultural association that now boasts over eighty members and an invaluable database of more than 1,400 POC designers worldwide, with a satellite location in Cameroon in Ghana and lately in Ruanda. Michelle is a renowned talent scout, championing present and future Afro designers in Italy and abroad. She is also an expert event creator, having directed and presented Afro Fashion Week for the past seven years. Her leadership extends to various cultural projects, including serving as the director of ALLTV and president of the Association of African Students of Ferrara. Additionally, she coordinates the CAMon! fashion project in Cameroon.
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of “The New Wave,” a video celebrating the 10 most innovative and influential emerging talents in the creative industry. This segment aimed to highlight the future pioneers who will shape and redefine their respective fields.
AWARDS AND WINNERS
LEADER OF CHANGE CULTURE. For those who consistently promote diversity and inclusion in their respective fields:
-Winner of the People’s Choice Award: Cinzia Adanna Ebonine
-Winner selected by the Jury: Danielle Madame
LEADER OF CHANGE CREATIVITY. For those who have had a global impact through their work and vision:
-Winner of the People’s Choice Award: Le Sorelle Toledo
-Winner selected by the Jury: Alberto Malanchino
LEADER OF CHANGE COMMUNITY. For those who have brought significant changes to their community through their work and knowledge:
-Winner of the People’s Choice Award: DEI Futuro Antirazzista
-Winner selected by the Jury: Johanne Affricot
LEADER OF CHANGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP. For those who have made a significant contribution to the development of new business models and/or design principles that promote positive change:
–Winner of the People’s Choice Award: Afroricci
-Winner selected by the Jury: Ada Ugo Abara
LEADER OF CHANGE LEGACY. For those with a long history of culturally diverse and inclusive projects carried out with continuity:
-Winner of the People’s Choice Award: Miyuki Yajima
-Winner selected by the Jury: Justin Randolph Thompson
ONE-TIME AWARDS
VIRGIL ABLOH AWARD
–Winner selected by the Jury: Romy Calzado
This award represents the Black Carpet Awards’ commitment to recognizing and celebrating leaders who are driving significant change and advancing the dialogue on diversity and inclusion within Italy’s creative industry. The jury selected a single winner for this prestigious recognition.
NEW WAVES:
-Winners selected by the Jury: Sabrine ZD, Phan Dang Hoang, Lina Giselle, Imad Shkairi, Bernadette Gouba, Kaze.
JURY
For the second edition of the Black Carpet Awards, an international jury led by Michelle Francine Ngonmo brought together professionals from various fields, united by their artistry and passion for excellence: Edward Buchanan, Stella Jean, Mumi Haiati, Tamu McPherson, Ib Kamara, Sara Maino, Carlo Capasa, Francesca Ragazzi, Walter D’aprile, Celia Sears, Nana Brenu, Jordan Anderson, Marta Sachy, Sabina Belli, Victoria Adaeze Ejogu, Winta Ghebre, Macs Iotti, Simonetta Gianfelici, Adama Sanneh, Jan Quammie, Mehret Tewolde, Alex Sossah, Pam Boy, Simon Whitehouse, Gloria Maria Cappelletti, Grace Wales Bonner, Shayne Oliver, David Alaba, Mike Obenson, Carolina Aldrovandi, Yasmine McDougall Sterea, Athiththan A. Selvendran, Dana Loatman, Anna Paola Vergani, Gabriella Nobile.
THE HOST
Tamu McPherson: Creative and Chief of alltheprettybirdsofficial. She is the founder of Shoeupforjustice and currently serves as Corporate Social Responsibility Ambassador for Bulgari. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, she studied Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University before pursuing a JD/MBA at Fordham. After a brief stint as a lawyer, she moved to Milan in 2005 and began her fashion career. Starting as a creative blogger and street style photographer in 2006, Tamu quickly became a trendsetter, inspiring designers and fashion enthusiasts. She has collaborated with major fashion magazines such as Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar U.S., and Grazia UK, where she currently writes a fashion column. In 2008, she launched her blog, “All the Pretty Birds,” and in 2011, she was appointed Editorial Director of Grazia.it. Tamu works with luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, Valentino, Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton, and is a proud member of the #MANGOGIRLS family.
ONE-TIME AWARDS
VIRGIL ABLOH AWARD
-Winner selected by the Jury: Romy Calzado
This award represents the Black Carpet Awards’ commitment to recognizing and celebrating leaders who are driving significant change and advancing the dialogue on diversity and inclusion within Italy’s creative industry. The jury selected a single winner for this prestigious recognition.
NEW WAVES:
-Winners selected by the Jury: Sabrine ZD, Phan Dang Hoang, Lina Giselle, Imad Shkairi, Bernadette Gouba, Kaze
JURY
For the second edition of the Black Carpet Awards, an international jury led by Michelle Francine Ngonmo brought together professionals from various fields, united by their artistry and passion for excellence: Edward Buchanan, Stella Jean, Mumi Haiati, Tamu McPherson, Ib Kamara, Sara Maino, Carlo Capasa, Francesca Ragazzi, Walter D’aprile, Celia Sears, Nana Brenu, Jordan Anderson, Marta Sachy, Sabina Belli, Victoria Adaeze Ejogu, Winta Ghebre, Macs Iotti, Simonetta Gianfelici, Adama Sanneh, Jan Quammie, Mehret Tewolde, Alex Sossah, Pam Boy, Simon Whitehouse, Gloria Maria Cappelletti, Grace Wales Bonner, Shayne Oliver, David Alaba, Mike Obenson, Carolina Aldrovandi, Yasmine McDougall Sterea, Athiththan A. Selvendran, Dana Loatman, Anna Paola Vergani, Gabriella Nobile.
THE HOST
Tamu McPherson: Creative and Chief of alltheprettybirdsofficial. She is the founder of Shoeupforjustice and currently serves as Corporate Social Responsibility Ambassador for Bulgari. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, she studied Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University before pursuing a JD/MBA at Fordham. After a brief stint as a lawyer, she moved to Milan in 2005 and began her fashion career. Starting as a creative blogger and street style photographer in 2006, Tamu quickly became a trendsetter, inspiring designers and fashion enthusiasts. She has collaborated with major fashion magazines such as Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar U.S., and Grazia UK, where she currently writes a fashion column. In 2008, she launched her blog, “All the Pretty Birds,” and in 2011, she was appointed Editorial Director of Grazia.it. Tamu works with luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, Valentino, Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton, and is a proud member of the #MANGOGIRLS famil
PARTNERS
Capri Holdings Limited, CNMI, Condé Nast, Macs Iotti, Negri Firman, nss, PwC Italia, RED-EYE, The Unseen Profiles, Vogue Italia.
PATRONAGE:
Comune di Milano, CNMI
The second edition of the Black Carpet Awards was a night of inspiration and celebration, bringing together influential figures and emerging talents to pay tribute to those who have made a tangible impact through their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For more information about the awards, visit blackcarpetawards.com
Media Contact:
NEGRI FIRMAN PR & COMMUNICATION
Sara della Maddalena
Senior Communications Manager
s.dellamaddalena@negrifirman.com
Marta Merafina
Senior Communications Specialist
m.merafina@negrifirman.com
