AE Awards 2026: Celebrating African Enterprise, Creativity and Excellence in Reading
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African ambition has a global story to tell. On Sunday, 18 October 2026, the Afro Entrepreneurs Awards will bring part of that story into the spotlight in Reading, celebrating the people and brands shaping business, culture and community.
The Afro Entrepreneurs Awards — AE Awards 2.6, powered by Zardy Nation Group Ltd, will recognise entrepreneurs, creatives and organisations whose work contributes to the United Kingdom’s African business and cultural landscape.
This edition will take place during The Legacy Dinner Series — AY Live in Reading, at Grosvenor Casino Reading, with award presentations by AY and YCEE.
Bringing together enterprise, entertainment and recognition, the evening will celebrate the ambition behind the brands—and the people turning their ideas into meaningful work.
African Enterprise Deserves a Bigger Spotlight
Behind a fashion label, a radio station, an entertainment company or a service business is a story of commitment. There are ideas developed, relationships built, challenges faced and opportunities created.
AE Awards exists to bring those stories forward.
Its focus reaches across industries because entrepreneurial achievement takes many forms. It can be expressed through digital innovation, the quality of a practical service, a memorable live event or a creative platform that connects communities.
For audiences beyond the UK, the awards offer a window into African diaspora enterprise: people carrying cultural identity into their work while developing businesses and creative careers across borders.
The ambition is to build AE Awards into a distinctive platform for recognition, connection and inspiration—one that celebrates achievement while encouraging the next generation to pursue their own ideas.
A Special Edition at The Legacy Dinner Series
The 2026 award presentations will form part of The Legacy Dinner Series, bringing recognition into an evening of entertainment and networking.
With AY and YCEE presenting the awards, recipients will be celebrated in the company of fellow entrepreneurs, creatives, invited guests and supporters.
The setting reflects the spirit of AE Awards: business and culture share a stage. The evening provides an opportunity to meet the people behind different brands, discover their work and build relationships that can continue beyond the event.
Meet the Confirmed AE Awards 2026 Recipients
DNC London — DNC Group Limited
Afro Fashion Brand of the Year Award 2026
DNC London’s identity centres on modern elegance, individuality and professional presentation. Part of DNC Group Limited, the fashion brand brings an international outlook to its ambitions for growth.
This recognition celebrates its distinctive fashion identity and entrepreneurial vision. DNC Greatness will receive the award for the brand.
Jennifer Orode
Afro Digital Creative Excellence Award 2026
Jennifer Orode’s professional focus brings together innovation, digital transformation and business development.
Her recognition celebrates a commitment to using digital thinking to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses and communities, highlighting the role of creativity in practical business development.
Cynthia DJ MVP
Afro Female DJ Excellence Award 2026
With more than 15 years of experience, Cynthia DJ MVP is an Afrobeats and multi-genre DJ, entrepreneur and community leader.
Founder of Cynergy Sounds and Vice President of the Nigerian DJs Association UK, her career connects performance with cultural advocacy and community engagement.
This award recognises her contribution to music and entertainment, alongside her commitment to African culture and creative empowerment.
Dayo DJ Dlite
Afro Female DJ Performance Excellence Award 2026
Dayo DJ Dlite is being celebrated for her musical talent, vibrant performance style and the energy she brings to the entertainment experience.
Her award places the spotlight on the craft of DJ performance: bringing personality to a set, creating atmosphere and connecting with an audience through music.
Cosoro Radio
Afro Radio Station of the Year Award 2026
Cosoro Radio is being recognised for promoting African music, supporting artists and giving the community a voice.
The award celebrates the role of radio in connecting audiences with African sound, culture and conversation.
Cosoro Radio is also the Official Media Sponsor of this edition of The Legacy Dinner Series, supporting the event’s visibility and media coverage.
Julie Efrance Frempong
Afro Visionary Media Entrepreneur Award 2026
Julie Efrance Frempong, founder of MoretoLife, is being recognised personally for her entrepreneurial vision and work across media and community engagement.
Her award celebrates the initiative behind building a platform and the value of creating space for ideas, voices and meaningful connections.
Big B Entertainment
Outstanding Afro Nightlife Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2026
Big B Entertainment is being celebrated for its contribution to Afro nightlife through its series of events and entertainment experiences.
The recognition highlights the entrepreneurial work behind bringing audiences together and creating occasions where African music and social connection can thrive.
XIIIXIV Entertainment — Afrobeats Reading
Afro Outstanding Event Promoter of the Year Award 2026
XIIIXIV Entertainment, associated with Afrobeats Reading, is being recognised for promoting Afrobeats events and bringing people together through music and entertainment in Reading.
This is a brand award celebrating its contribution to the local entertainment scene and the visibility of Afrobeats culture.
Spectra Support Solutions Ltd
Afro Facilities Management Excellence Award
Spectra Support Solutions Ltd is being recognised for its work in practical facilities support, including housekeeping, cleaning, gardening and property support services.
The award celebrates professionalism, reliability and care in the everyday services that help maintain welcoming, functional spaces.
Its inclusion reflects the breadth of AE Awards: excellence also belongs to the businesses whose essential work happens behind the scenes.
Grosvenor Casino Reading
Afro Entertainment Venue of the Year Award 2026
Grosvenor Casino Reading is being recognised for hosting African entertainment events and providing a welcoming setting for guests and the wider community.
Having hosted three celebrity appearances in Reading this year, the venue is being celebrated for its hospitality and contribution to memorable entertainment experiences.
Recognition That Can Travel Beyond the Room
The significance of AE Awards extends beyond the presentation itself.
Sharing the recipients’ stories introduces their work to new audiences. It gives emerging entrepreneurs examples of different paths into business and creativity. It also creates opportunities for conversations between people who might otherwise never meet.
For the wider African diaspora, these stories carry a familiar message: cultural identity and entrepreneurial ambition can grow together.
This Reading edition is part of the vision to develop AE Awards as a brand in its own right, with a lasting focus on African enterprise, creativity and excellence.
Media and Promotion Partners
Cosoro Afrobeats Radio, our Official Media Sponsor, is spreading the news through on-air promotions, presenter mentions and event adverts, bringing AE Awards to listeners across its network.
Our promotion partners, Big B Entertainment and XIIIXIV Entertainment — Afrobeats Reading, are helping connect audiences and rally community support.
Africshowbiz Ng, our blogging partner, is supporting online publicity and helping share the stories behind the awards and this year’s recipients.
Award Presentation Details
- Event: Afro Entrepreneurs Awards — AE Awards 2.6
- Presented during: The Legacy Dinner Series — AY Live in Reading
- Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
- Venue: Grosvenor Casino Reading
- Address: Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 0SN
- Red carpet: 5:00pm
- Main event: 7:00pm–11:00pm
- Award presenters: AY and YCEE
- Dress code: Smart and elegant
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Official Media Sponsor: Cosoro Radio
For event and media enquiries: 07745 609046
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AE Awards — Honouring Vision. Celebrating Excellence.
