Empowering Black communities
Do it Now Now Awards 2026
Celebrating the Leadership, Innovation and Impact of Black people in the UK.
We are honouring trailblazers through 10 award categories, with five awards celebrating organisations, and five celebrating individuals. Rooted in the pillars of sustainable growth, these categories celebrate everything from Resilient Leadership and Operational Excellence to Community Care and Systemic Change.
Our vision
To be the Black community’s foremost champion, enabling the systematic development and co-production of equitable opportunities and outcomes for Black people.
Our mission
We empower people to have the skills, tool and resources needed to lead, influence and create the future for themselves and their community.
Why Do it Now Now Awards?
We are on a mission to spotlight the outstanding Black-led organisations and leaders who are building power, shifting systems, and delivering real-world impact across our communities through the Do it Now Now awards.
What does recognition look like?
5 leaders and 5 organisations will be selected for the 2026 cohort.
Winners will receive:
A £150 voucher to a store of your choice*
Attendance at the awards in London on 22nd May 2026
National recognition
A digital winner’s badge and certificate
A featured profile spotlighting their work
Access to an exclusive alumni network
A feature on Do it Now Now’s upcoming podcast
Invitations to curated ecosystem-building opportunities
Increased awareness with funders, collaborators, and partners
A set of professional headshots*
*(limited to one per winner)
Key Dates and Information
Nominations Open: 2 March 2026
Deadline for Applications: 31 March 2026
In-Person Awards Ceremony: 22 May 2026 in London
Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of assessors and high-profile judges from our community.
The Celebration: Winners will be celebrated at an in-person event in May 22nd 2026, featuring networking, photography, and community connection.
Big Ideas, Real Impact.
The Do it Now Now Awards exist to recognise leadership. We’re celebrating more than just visible impact, but the strength behind it.
Why Now?
Too many Black-led organisations are expected to deliver transformational outcomes without transformational resourcing. Too many founders are praised for resilience when what they actually need is structural support.
Recognition alone won’t fix systemic inequality, but recognition can change narratives. It shifts who gets seen as credible, influences who gets invited into rooms, and strengthens funding conversations.
The Do it Now Now Awards aim to spotlight the organisations and individuals proving that excellence is not accidental, but designed.
Beyond the Applause
We are looking for the organisations and leaders who:
Stick to their mission even when funding pressures pull them elsewhere.
Build diverse income streams instead of relying on a single lifeline.
Put fair recruitment and staff wellbeing at the centre of growth.
Turn long-term strategy into daily action.
Redesign systems when something isn’t working.
And we are looking for the founders and leaders who:
Lead themselves with discipline and integrity.
Build operational systems that protect their energy.
Collaborate intentionally and uplift others.
Innovate from insight, not ego.
Refuse to compromise their values for profit.
Who Can Apply
The awards are open to:
UK-based Black-led charities, social enterprises, CICs, and mission-driven businesses.
UK-based individuals who identify as Black and are leading values-driven ventures.
We are not looking for perfection, the biggest budget, or for polished jargon.
We are looking for evidence of thoughtful leadership and measurable progress.
A small team with strong governance is just as powerful as a larger organisation with a national footprint.
A sole trader with solid systems and ethical clarity is just as important as a scaling CEO.
We welcome you.
Information Sessions
11 March 2026
6.00pm, Online via Zoom
18 March 2026
12.30pm, Online via Zoom
The Categories
For Organisations
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This award is for organisations that stick to their mission and keep operations compliant.
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For organisations with a clear strategy for diversifying revenue and building financial health.
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Celebrating organisations that strengthen, serve and empower Black culture and community.
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For teams that turn big-picture goals and long-term missions into daily action.
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For organisations that ensure service user needs are at the core of delivery to fix root causes.
The Categories
For Individuals
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For leaders who lead themselves effectively, seeking advice and following regulations.
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For those mastering the "behind the scenes", managing finances and systems to handle work without burnout.
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For leaders recruiting and managing relationships to fill skills gaps and support the wider Black community.
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For innovators using customer insights to launch new products or services.
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For entrepreneurs integrating ethical sourcing and social impact into day-to-day operations.
How to Apply
We accept nominations on behalf of an individual or organisation. We also accept self-nominations - you can apply for yourself or your organisation.
Time Commitment: Each category takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.
One Entry Limit: Please note, we are capping applications at one award per individual and one award per organisation.
No Jargon Needed: We value clear answers over corporate language. Just tell us your story.
Accessibility
If you find written forms difficult or would prefer to answer questions over a call, we are happy to arrange that. Please contact us at [email protected].
Live while Black,
Lead while Black.
The Do it Now Now Awards exist to recognise leadership. We’re celebrating more than just visible impact, but the strength behind it.