Leaders, entrepreneurs and artists came together to celebrate the achievements of people from deprived communities at an awards ceremony on Saturday 29 September. 

The event, organised by charity Antoin Akpom Achievements (AAA), was held at the Croydon Conference Centre.

Now in its fifth year, it is held in memory of Antoin Akpom, a football coach from Leicester, who was murdered in September 2013.

The AAA Foundation Charity nominates people from deprived communities across various industry categories for recognition, seeking to divert young people away from gang culture and street crime. 

Ms Cheryl Armatrading, who set up the AAA Foundation in memory of her son, Antoin, said: “I am doing this not only for my son’s legacy but also for the youths he inspired.

“Recognition such as the AAA Foundation Awards can really create change within a community as it is so important that people start to identify with positive achievements and community contribution.

“Bringing such values and positive dialogue forward can help to inspire, motivate people within deprived areas and naturally move young people away from street crime and gang culture”.

MOBO award winning rappers Krept and Konan were nominated for an Enterprise Award for their newly opened restaurant, Crepes and Cones in Croydon.

Kade Smith, 17, who starred in this year’s series of The Voice, won an award in the performing arts category.

The Mayor of Croydon, Her Worship Bernadette Khan, opened the ceremony, presenting a number of awards.

Actor Winston George Ellis, who featured in Pirates of the Caribbean, also attended.

Along with their annual awards ceremony, AAA Foundation runs a range of skill development workshops, covering scriptwriting, acting and prop making.

They also host gala award ceremonies to encourage young people between the ages of 16yrs – 25yrs to develop key transferable skills.

For more information visit: https://www.aaa4success.co.uk/