Sunderland Mayor and Grassroots Heroes Honoured at THRIVE 26 Gala

Sunderland's mayor joined grassroots organisers, educators and community champions at the THRIVE 26 Gala & Awards, held by Holding Hands Together CIO at the Grand Hotel Sunderland on 19 September 2026.

Now in its second edition, the event brought together residents, businesses and civic leaders from Sunderland and the wider North East. Earlier in the day, a free employment fair offered job seekers, students and women returning to work recruitment opportunities, CV advice and digital skills workshops. The fair reflected Holding Hands' work to tackle digital exclusion and support women facing isolation or barriers to employment.

Civic and Community Leaders Honoured

The Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson, received the Distinguished Civic Leadership Award, while Deputy Mayor Steph Edusei (Hon DCL) received the Excellence in Leadership and Social Impact Award.

The gala also recognised people whose work in health, education, social enterprise and racial justice reaches beyond the ceremony itself:

Dr Chioma Aleke received the Community Empowerment Award. A GP and clinical academic at the University of Sunderland, she supports 11 students in healthcare courses in Nigeria through scholarships and mentorship, alongside bursaries for students in UK universities and feeding programmes for widows.

Afi Dometi received the Social Enterprise and Women's Empowerment Award. Her Africawad Recycling CIC creates employment and skills opportunities for African women while keeping used clothing out of landfill.

Kenley Ezinwoke received the Educational Excellence Award after earning Grade 9s in most of his recent GCSE subjects, including English, mathematics and the sciences.

Professor Donna Chambers received the Community Impact Award. Her work on racial equity in higher education includes helping establish Sunderland's first Blue Plaque honouring a Black person and supporting racially minoritised postgraduate researchers through the Generation Delta project.

Other Award Recipients

Dr Mrs Geraldine Chinyelu Odo — Community Impact Award.

Mrs Onyinye Nwanneka Akwueh — Women's Wellbeing and Empowerment Award.

Mrs Ngozi Ezinwoke — Community and Youth Empowerment Award.

Dr Mrs Nkechinyere Eze — Education and Community Empowerment Award.

Michal Chantkowski — Outstanding Community Partnership and Support Award.

Mrs Adaeze Mbonu-Okoli — Women's Wellbeing & Community Leadership Award.

Dr Tonti Ndubuisi — Excellence in Women's Health and Community Leadership Award.

Mrs Euphrasia Makare — Humanitarian Impact Award.

Fanni Ngambi — Humanitarian and Refugee Support Award.

Dr Emmanuel Nwobi — Outstanding Business Ally & Community Support Award.

Rose Okono — Women Empowerment Award.

Pastor Ogbeide Ucheakolem Ethel — Faith and Community Leadership Award.

Dr Tina Pemu — Excellence in Women's Employment and Empowerment Award.

Dr Maryam Garba — Empowerment Through Education Award.

Happiness Ijeoma Umeobi — Outstanding Community Engagement Award.

Victor Ikoli — Creativity and Media Excellence Award.

Faith Akabogu — Outstanding Community Service and Volunteering Award.

Councillor Josephine Mudzingwa — Special Recognition Award.

Odeth Richardson — Distinguished Leadership & Public Impact Award.

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales — Outstanding Funding Partner Award.

In his address, Mayor Hutchinson said: “Tonight is of course a celebration, but it is also something much bigger. It's about recognising the people who've strengthened our communities, created opportunities for others, challenged inequalities, led with compassion, and demonstrated through their actions what can happen when people are given the opportunity to thrive.”

Jennifer Orji, founder of Holding Hands, said the connections made during the evening mattered as much as the awards. “People met new organisations, new conversations started, communities celebrated one another, young people performed, partnerships were strengthened, and people whose contributions can sometimes go unseen were recognised,” she said.

From the night