Yorkshire diversity champions honoured at awards
The Editor
Hardworking Yorkshire people, charities and social enterprises were honoured at the region’s first Pride in Diversity Awards, held on 3 July at Leeds First Direct Arena.
The awards, who’s media partner is Yorkshire Businesswoman magazine, aimed to highlight people and organisations working to champion members of the community who face additional barriers when accessing public services and employment or simply enjoying daily life. This can be due to a range of factors, including race, neurodiversity, disability, sexuality, and gender identity.
As well as celebrating individual and team achievements, the awards aim to advance the level of funding for vital services, introduce new opportunities for collaboration, and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
Recipients included Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE, now the team’s director of culture, diversity, and inclusion. He was awarded Public Figure of the Year.
The Yorkshire Hero Lifetime Achievement award went to Tom Riordan CBE, second permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, and Focus4Hope received Yorkshire Community Organisation of the Year.
The awards were co-founded and hosted by Jane Clynes and LGBT+ ambassador Matt Jameson, who shot to fame as half of Married at First Sight’s first same sex couple. He said: "The Pride in Diversity Awards highlight that diverse communities can be united by rather than divided by our difference. That's something Yorkshire does incredibly well. It's more vital than ever to recognise and celebrate those working selflessly in our communities to uplift and remove barriers for people from diverse backgrounds. As stated by our amazing winners, it's important that we come together against the harmful rhetoric that’s so prevalent in today's media, holding each other up and showing solidarity".
Judges included broadcaster Stephanie Hirst, former Mayor of Leeds Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, and author and presenter Jono Lancaster.
So far, the awards have raised £1,700 for chosen charity Out Together, which works to overcome the cultural and social barriers that can prevent LGBTQ+ individuals enjoying later life with dignity.
More information can be found on the website at prideindiversity.co.uk.
