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- Archive 2019
- 2015 Elections: 11 new BME MP’s make history
- 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India
- Black Church Manifesto Questionnaire
- Brett Bailey: Exhibit B
- Briefing Paper: Ethnic Minorities in Politics and Public Life
- Civil Rights Leader Ratna Lachman dies
- ELLE Magazine: Young, Gifted, and Black
- External Jobs
- FeaturedVideo
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- Gary Younge Book Sale
- George Osborne's budget increases racial disadvantage
- Goldsmiths Students' Union External Trustee
- International Commissioners condemn the appalling murder of Tyre Nichols
- Iqbal Wahhab OBE empowers Togo prisoners
- Job Vacancy: Head of Campaigns and Communications
- Media and Public Relations Officer for Jean Lambert MEP (full-time)
- Number 10 statement - race disparity unit
- Pathway to Success 2022
- Please donate £10 or more
- Rashan Charles had no Illegal Drugs
- Serena Williams: Black women should demand equal pay
- Thank you for your donation
- The Colour of Power 2021
- The Power of Poetry
- The UK election voter registration countdown begins now
- Volunteering roles at Community Alliance Lewisham (CAL)
Awards, nominations and accolades
2013 - GG2 Leadership Award
The GG2 Pride of Britain Award was given to the founding member and director of Operation Black Vote, Simon Woolley. The GG2 Leadership Awards were presented to leading ethnic members of the community who have made a considerable contribution to their respective fields.
2013 Black Powerlist
Simon Woolley was included in the 2013 Black Powerlist which features Britain’s 100 most influential black people, with new entrants added each year.
2013 EBR Awards
Operation Black Vote was awarded the EBR Awards in 2013. EBR AWARDS is a Black Business Award aims to highlight, promote and award excellence across and within private and public sector Businesses.
2012 Black Powerlist
Simon Woolley joins the Black Powerlist for the first time as one of Britain’s 100 most influential black people.
2012 Winner of Ebony Recognition Awards
Operation Black Vote received the "Social, Faith and Political Agencies Award" at the 2012 Ebony Recognition Awards. EBR rewards Black business achievements in the private and public sector and helps organisations create a positive image.
A spokesperson for the EBR AWARDS said: “We are dedicated to helping Black entrepreneurs by raising their Business profiles, enhancing their reputation and promoting the great work they do, whilst simultaneously providing them with a platform to celebrate their success.”
2011 ES's Power 1000: London's Most Influential
Simon Woolley was once again recognised as one of London's most influential people at Evening Stardards' Power 1000 celebrations,
2010 ES's Power 1000: London's Most Influential
Simon Woolley was named as one of London's most influential people at Evening Standard's Power 1000.
2008 Telegraph: Top 100 Left Wingers
Again Mr Woolley was listed in the Telegraph's Top 100 Left-Wingers. Capturing 85th place this year and 75th place last year.
2008 Winner of the Channel 4 Political Award
The Operation Black Vote AM Shadowing Scheme sponsored and supported by the National Assembly for Wales won the highly acclaimed Channel 4 / Hansard Society Political Awards 2008.
In 2007 OBV was also nominated for our mentoring projects.
Peter Riddel, Chair of the Hansard Society, said: "The Hansard Society has a long history of encouraging greater public involvement in the democratic process. This year's Democracy Award shortlist, nominated by our members and supporters, was particularly strong. We are delighted to present this year's Democracy Award to Operation Black Vote's Welsh Assembly Shadowing Scheme for its fresh initiative in trying to raise awareness and encouraging black and minority ethnic individuals to engage in the democratic process in Wales".
2007 Nominated for Channel 4 Political Award
Operation Black Vote's MP Shadowing Scheme was nominated for the prestigious 2007 Channel 4 & The Hansard Society 'Opening Up Politics Award'.
The third MP Shadowing Scheme was supported by the Electoral Commission. Sam Younger, Chairman at the Electoral Commission, said: "We're very excited to be involved in the MP Shadowing Scheme. We all engage better with politicians if they're seen to be part of our everyday lives, and it's vitally important that politicians reflect the people they represent."
2007 Telegraph: Top 100 Left Wingers
The Telegraph list recognised Simon Woolley as one of the Top 100 Left Wingers in 2007. "Woolley has done more to push black participation in politics than anyone else. His challenge has been to break out of the black and ethnic media and become a more widely known voice nationally."
2006 Supporting Local Democracy Award
Operation Black Vote’s Councillor Shadowing Scheme received the ‘Supporting Local Democracy Award’ at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. The LGC awards are recognised throughout the sector as the mark of excellence, rewarding local authorities and organisations for the difference they are making in their communities.
Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, supports the LGC awards stating: “It is clear to me that there is a lot of important and excellent work being carried out within local authorities across the country. These awards offer a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate this work".
2006 BIBA Award
The European Federation of Black Women Business Owners (EFBWBO), awarded Winsome-Grace Cornish, the Black Women in Business Award (BIBA) 2006, for OBV's Shadowing Schemes in the Ethnic Organisation category.
The Award Ceremony held in October brought together professionals, entrepreneurs and celebrities to celebrate Black business achievement. Talking about the delight of winning the award Winsome-Grace said: "The award goes to the ambassadors of the shadowing schemes and others who play a vital role in OBV's campaigning work".
The event was hosted by Ronke Phillips of ITN News and Tim Campbell, winner of BBC TV show The Apprentice 2005.
2005 Best Campaign Award
The Department for Constitutional Affairs National BME Conference(Proud) voted OBV best campaign organisation.
Collecting the award OBV Director Simon Woolley stated "I'm proud of our achievements but we recognise that we still have much more work to do".
2004 AMG - GG2 Leadership and Diversity awards
The Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG) awarded Operation Black Vote the 'GG2 Democracy in Action Award' at the sixth annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards 2004.
AMG is the country's largest Asian publishing house and the ceremony salutes the accomplishments of Britain's many minority ethnic communities. The Electoral Commission sponsored the Democracy in Action Award category.
At the Gala Dinner event, AMG's editor-in-chief, Ramniklal Solanki OBE, said: "We have brought together some of Britain's finest in their fields. Their contribution is integral to Britain's success and makes them role models of creative excellence and leadership."
2003 'Men & Women of Merit' award
The Executive & Professional Network (The EPN) awarded OBV the coveted 'Men & Women of Merit' award. Speaking at the award ceremony OBV Director Simon Woolley stated:
'It is a great honour for the organisation to be bestowed this award from the EPN and the Black community. Fighting injustice, fighting racism can only be defeated by the political empowerment of the community. Empowerment is achieved by dedicated teams and the overwhelming support of Black communities'.
2002 Bernie Grant Award
The African Caribbean Positive Image Foundation awarded OBV the Prestigious 'Bernie Grant Award'.
2002 Grassroots Power list
OBV's Director Simon Woolley was voted onto the Big Issue's top 100 'Grassroots Power list'.
2001/2 Website of the Year Award
OBV was honoured two years in a row for its website. Its design, content and style has met the criteria to win a coveted 'Website of the Year Award' from an international internet consumer company.
The accolade is a tribute to ICT Manager, Rafiq and a team of volunteers who have built a premier site. The website has become a vital exchange for politics, race and current affairs. IT Manager Rafiq said “We continue to work to take our website from strength to strength”.