Children Shine at The Descendants Achievement Awards
Councillor Gary Malcolm presents honours at gala event
Cllr Gary Malcolm (right) with an award winner
July 21, 2026
Young people from across Ealing were celebrated this month at the 21st annual Dr John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards, hosted by The Descendants at the DoubleTree Hotel on Ealing Common. The event, held on Saturday 11 July, brought together families, schools and community leaders to recognise exceptional achievements by children and teenagers of African and Caribbean heritage.
Ealing Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Gary Malcolm was invited by Margaret Noel, founder and Chair of The Descendants, to present one of the awards. The charity, founded in 1993 and run predominantly by volunteers, has spent more than three decades supporting children, young people and families across the borough. Its work was recognised nationally in 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Schools were invited to nominate pupils for achievements across a wide range of categories, from academic excellence and STEM to sports, entrepreneurship, leadership and the arts. The awards highlight not only individual talent but also the strength, creativity and resilience of young people in Ealing’s African and Caribbean communities.
Councillor Malcolm praised the event’s impact, saying, “The Descendants are a wonderful organisation, and it was a pleasure to be asked to hand an award to one of the many talented children at the event. So many of the children and teens have achieved a lot in one or more categories such as sport, academic ability, entrepreneurship, the arts and science. Sadly, the media do not always show the many positive community successes that residents from the African and Caribbean background. Events like this organised by Margaret Noel and the team show there is so much talent in our borough.”
Award Winners 2026
Primary School Awards
• Students who excel in all areas of their education: Jahni John-Charles
• Students who work hard and achieve against the odds: Ebonie Stephenson
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Students who excel in the arts:Jace Grant
• Students who excel in sports: Ruby-May Howard
• Students who excel in STEM: Sophia Babalola
• Students with entrepreneurial qualities: Joylen Cabral Teixeira
• Students who show future leadership potential:Amiyah Appleton
Secondary School Awards
• Students who excel in all areas of their education: Lisa Jammeh
• Students who work hard and achieve against the odds: Esther Kainsie
• Students who excel in the arts:Benjamin Isaac Obado
• Students who excel in sports: Arielle Grant
• Students who excel in STEM: Leo Munroe
• Students with entrepreneurial qualities: Hutoon Adam
• Students who show future leadership potential:Hafsa Mumin
The event once again showcased the dedication of The Descendants’ volunteer committee members and trustees, whose work continues to uplift young people and celebrate excellence across the borough. As Margaret Noel and her team look ahead to their next year of programming, the awards remain a powerful reminder of the talent, ambition and community spirit thriving in Ealing.
Award winners and their families at the awards event
More information about The Descendants can be found at descendants.org.uk.
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