Naomi Campbell Is Godmother At 2025’s Black Carpet Awards

Since 2023, the Black Carpet Awards has given voice to diversity, inclusion and talent during Milan’s September fashion week. And this year will be a bumper edition: Naomi Campbell has been revealed as the guest of honour – aka Godmother.

Black Carpet Awards 2025: All The Details

What Are The Black Carpet Awards?

Having launched in 2023, the Black Carpet Awards have quickly established themselves as a creative and cultural moment on the calendar. The awards spotlight talent that too often remains invisible in our society, celebrating ‘Leaders of Change’ across five categories: Culture, Creativity, Community, Entrepreneurship and Legacy. The awards are presented to individuals from all backgrounds, who have a concrete commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in the creative industries.

As the third edition approaches, Michelle Francine Ngonmo (CEO of Afro Fashion Association, and founder of the Black Carpet Awards) says: ‘we renew our invitation to collective commitment: to rewrite history together.’

‘“Black”’ to us means the sum of all colours,’ Ngonmo adds. ‘A symbol of plurality and inclusion. Being seen, recognised, and considered an integral part of society is a right everyone should experience. A truly inclusive society is not only fairer, but also richer in human, cultural, and economic terms. Changing the status quo requires courage, daily dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration. Only through shared and consistent action can we build a more equitable and representative future.

Ngonmo adds that ‘the Black Carpet Awards aim to be a real space where this change takes shape’. ‘An opportunity to promote a new vision of society that, starting in Milan, can speak to the whole world,’ she says. ‘We are here, and we continue to hope that more and more people will join us to keep pushing this transformation and rewrite the system.’

The 2025 Nominees

The following industry-leading individuals are nominated for a prize at this year’s Black Carpet Awards. The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury chaired by the awards’ founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo. This year, the jury comprises prominent professionals from across fashion, media, culture, entertainment, activism and the nonprofit sector, including: former Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri; Grammy Award winning DJ and producer Honey Dijon; acclaimed photographer (and the first Black photographer to shoot an American Vogue cover) Tyler Mitchell; Tunisian-born Italian fashion model, actress and TV presenter Afef Jnifen; and Sara Sozzani Maino, creative director of the Sozzani Foundation and a key figure at Vogue Italia.

In total, 22 finalists are up for a prize. Of these, 10 winners will be selected: five by the jury, and five by a public vote (open from 1 to 31 July 2025 here).

Drumroll please…

Black Carpet Awards 2025 Nominees

Leader of Change: Culture

Awarded to those leading the discourse on inclusion in their field.

• Nogaye Ndiaye
• Mariam Battistelli
• Meraf Villani
• Modou Gueye
• Simão Amista

Leader of Change: Creativity

Awarded to those with global creative vision and impact. 

• Augusta Carter
• Jem Perucchini
• Rediet Longo
• Shannice Alogaga
• Williams Obrou Zouzouo (aka Gaudì2000)

Leader of Change: Community

Awarded to those transforming their local communities. 

• Aya Mohamed
• Deepika Salhan
• Kwanza Musi Dos Santos
• Laura Berrie Amponsah
• Ronke Oluwadare

Leader of Change: Entrepreneurship

Awarded to those innovating inclusive business models. 

• Antonio Dikele Distefano
• Caterina Monda & Debrina Aliyah
• Ibrahim Songne
• Issa Yerima
• Reuben K. Sam

Leader of Change: Legacy

Awarded to those building and passing on an inclusive, lasting cultural heritage.

• Igiaba Scego
• Leandra Medeiros Cerezo

One-Time Award

This year’s One-Time Award will be dedicated to the late Koyo Kouoh, an artist who significantly shaped African and diasporic art in Italy. As such, the Koyo Kouoh Award will honour a creative who challenges narratives, expands artistic boundaries and brings visibility and excellence to Black cultural expression across the globe.

Who Attends?

The 2025 guest of honour – aka Godmother – is global fashion icon and long-time activist for representation and equity, Naomi Campbell. But who else attends the Black Carpet Awards? More than 700 guests are expected to attend the 2025 event, spanning industries and professions.

Where & When?

The 2025 edition of the Black Carpet Awards will be held at Teatro Manzoni on 24 September, during Milan Fashion Week. This is the third annual Black Carpet Awards to be hosted in Milan, and the city is ‘proud to host’ the awards, says Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies of the City of Milan, describing it as ‘an event that carries a powerful and necessary message’.

‘It is not just an award, but a platform for visibility for all those people who often away from the spotlight work every day to break the mould, broaden perspectives and create spaces where diversity and inclusion are real cultural, social and economic values,’ Cappello says. ‘Fashion, design and the creative world in general have the power to send direct messages that awaken consciences, break down barriers, and drive change towards a more inclusive and just society.’