Christian women from a range of churches including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Built on the Rock church, and the New Testament Church of God are featured in the list of nominees for the 10th annual Wise Women Awards, taking place on March 29th, at the Guoman Tower Hotel, St Katherine’s Way, London E1W 1LD.
The Wise Women Awards is the leading UK event celebrating the work and achievements of African and African-Caribbean Christian women in the church and wider society. The event is jointly hosted by Wisdom for Women International and Keep The Faith magazine.
The list of nominees for the 2014 Wise Women Awards includes Andrea Encinas, founder of British Gospel Arts, business woman Dr Yana Johnson, Pastor Adepeju Oluyemi, of KICC and gospel artist Sandra Godley.
Other nominees include Esther Lagunda, who’s overcome major health issues to become one of the youngest black women to be appointed as a judge here in the UK; Catherine Msoni, whose charity, Divine Rescue, works with the homeless, substance abusive victims, sex workers, former prison inmates and the disadvantaged; Janet Wolfe, who has established a ministry for Christian singles and Chizumie Dyer, an ex-offender who now runs a home for ex-offenders and is a minister of the gospel.
Pastor Marjorie Esomowei of Wisdom For Women International (WWI) and founder of the Wise Women Awards stated, “The Wise Women Awards celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and we’re excited about the wide selection of nominees that we’ve received.
Not only does the list bring to the fore some of the unsung heroines within Britain’s African and African-Caribbean Christian community, it also highlights the broad range of work and activities Christian women are involved in that’s making a difference in people’s lives.”
Shirley McGreal, publisher of Keep The Faith magazine stated, “The list of nominees for the 2014 demonstrates the fortitude, ingenuity and resourcefulness of Christian women within Britain’s African and Caribbean communities to respond to the needs of the people they serve with good works. I’m excited that they are being recognised through this event and am looking forward to the awards ceremony on March 29th.”
The 2014 Wise Women Award nominees are:
EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG WOMAN category
Kanika Mayi, Waltham Forest Council, London
Kika Ashanika, Pure Hearts, London
Sade Elliott, Gospel Arts Production, West Midlands
WOMAN IN MINISTRY category
Lillieth Cardoza, Built on the Rock Ministries, London
Grace Sola-Oludoyi, Royal Connections, London
Janet Wolfe, Single Lyfe, London
WOMAN IN MISSION category
Joan St Louis, Church of God in Christ, London
Christine Msioni, Divine Rescue, London
Pastor Adepeju Oluyomi, Haven of Rest, Essex
WOMAN IN MEDIA category
Tola Adepegba, Premier Gospel, London
Claire Elevique Jesus House, London
Katrina Morris, Heaven Sent Consultancy
WOMAN IN THE COMMUNITY category
Yetunde Adeola, African Caribbean Forum, Kent,
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Mayor of London Borough Barking and Dagenham,
Donia Narh, Aces Youth Project, London
PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN WOMAN category
Linda Nnene, City of Norwich, School, Norwich,
Kaniki Mayi, Waltham Forest Council, London,
Esther Lagunda, Judge, Princess Courts, London
WOMAN IN MUSIC category
Sandra Godley, Gospel Artist, London
Lorraine Wright, UCGY, London
Andrea Encinas, British Gospel Arts, London
WOMAN IN BUSINESS category
Rowena Henry, Paul Henry Architects, London
Dr Yana Johnson, Yana Cosmetics, London
Dr Neslyn Watson-Drew, Beacon Organisational Development, Surrey
LIFE TURNAROUND AWARD category
Audrey Howell, Wesleyan Holiness church, Bristol
Jemma Regis, Author, Herts
Chizumie Dyer, Temple of Truth, Nottingham
NAOMI AWARD category
Carolie Pinder, Leicester City Council Fostering & Adoption Service, Leicester
Nancy George, World In Need, East Sussex
Annie Ingram, New Testament Church Of God – Epainos Ministries, London
The nominees in the 10 Wise Women Award categories were chosen from nominations sent in by the public. The responsibility for choosing who should make the final list of nominees in each category was decided by a panel of judges comprising:
- Charmaine Noble-McLean, Director of Content, Premier Media Group
- Angela Sarkis, CBE, Charity Consultant
- Bumni Folarin, Lead Business Analyst, BP Oil International
- Sharon Pennant, CEO of Council of Black Led Churches, West Midlands
- Dionne Gravesade, Head of Church Advocacy, Christian Aid
- Diahanne Rhiney, CEO of 15 degrees and award winning business woman
The winners of each category will be announced at the Wise Women Awards ceremony taking place on March 29, at the Guoman Tower Hotel, St Katherine’s Way, London E1W 1LD.
Nominees and guests at the Wise Women Awards will enjoy a three course meal, live music from Raymond and Co, a motivational talk from a special guest and an inspiring and uplifting awards ceremony. Leading comedienne and TV presenter Angie Le Mar will be the host.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- The Wise Women Awards was founded by Pastor Marjorie esomowei, co-pastor of Triumphant Church International in Tottenham, north London in 2005.
- Past recipients of a Wise Women Award include Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Shauna Muamba, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkins, Christine Ohuruogu, Elizabeth Forbes-Stobbe, Juliet Fletcher, Lurine Cato, Pastor Yvonne Brooks, Kim Bacchus, and Pastor Celia Apeaygei Collins.
- Tickets for the Wise Women Awards are available from https://www.wisewomenawards.
org/winners-awards-night/ ticket-purchase/
- Tickets are £65 in advance, £60 for groups of five or more. (This special ticket offer ends on March 10th) Phone 020 8800 6001 for more details
For more details of the Wise Women Awards visit www.wisewomenawards.org
* For more information about Keep The Faith magazine visit www.keepthefaith.co.uk
* Sponsors for the Wise Women Awards are Dial A Carer and the Be Clear on Cancer Campaign