From the first Black Miss America to West End leading lady in The Devil Wears Prada, Vanessa’s glittering career has earned her 13 Grammy nominations and three Emmy Awards.
London, Friday 24th October 2025 EMBARGOED UNTIL 22.00 – Vanessa Williams was awarded the ‘Paramount Entertainer Award’ at the Celebration of Black Excellence awards this evening, for a career that has spanned, stage, screen and song. The actress who has starred in internationally acclaimed TV shows such as Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty, and has also enjoyed a chart-topping music career, collected her award in person at the ceremony, which took place at the luxury JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane.
The Powerlist Celebration of Black Excellence awards recognises the most powerful people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage. For the past two decades it has shone a light on leaders and trailblazers who have had an impact by breaking barriers, redefining success, and inspiring future generations.
From being crowned the first black Miss America in 1983, Vanessa’s sensational global career has been recognised with industry accolades including 13 Grammy nominations and three Emmy Awards – Williams is currently starring as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada in London’s West End.
Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media Ltd said: “By breaking barriers and excelling across music, film, and television, Vanessa didn’t just redefine what was possible in entertainment – she became a shining example for Black women everywhere. Honoured with the Paramount Entertainer Award, her legacy continues to empower and inspire generations to come.”
The Powerlist 2026 Award Winners are –
Mastercard Business Excellence Award – Dame Pat McGrath, Renowned Makeup Artist and Founder, Pat McGrath Labs
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Global Executive Leader Award – Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman, PwC
JP Morgan Special Outstanding Achievement and Contribution Award – Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO, MOBO Group
PwC Purpose Award
Professor Faye Ruddock, Founder & Chair of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN)
Meta Technology, Innovation & AI Award
Dr Simon Osindero, Director of Research, DeepMind
Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Executive of the Year Award
Carlos Treadway, Executive Vice President International, Ford Credit
BP Business of the Year Award
ScreenHits TV, founded by Rose Hulse
Salesforce Woman of The Year Award
Bernardine Evaristo, Author and Academic
Paramount Entertainer Award
Vanessa Williams, Award-winning Actress and Singer
Vanessa was honoured tonight at the Powerlist Celebration of Black Excellence Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, which was co-hosted by broadcaster and former elite sprinter Jeanette Kwakye MBE and entrepreneur Tim Campbell MBE.
Notes to Editors
Powerlist 2026 Gala and Celebration of Black Excellence Awards takes place on:
- Date: Friday October 24th, 2025
- Time: Doors open at 18:00
- Address: JW Marriott Grosvenor House, 86-90 Park Lane, London.
Established in 2006 by Powerful Media Ltd, the Powerlist was created to celebrate and shine a light on the UK’s most inspirational and influential people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Powerlist has grown into a vital platform that not only recognises Black excellence across sectors but also helps to reframe narratives, influence perceptions, and empower the next generation of leaders.
Sponsors this year include:
HSBC and JP Morgan (Joint Partner Sponsors)
PwC (Gold Sponsors)
An independent panel of judges selected the Powerlist 2026.
The full Powerlist 2026 judging panel consisted of:
Dr. Jacky Wright, NED, Tech Exec, most recently Sr. Partner and Chief Technology Officer for McKinsey (Chair)
Adenike Adenitire, Director of Editorial, Powerful Media Ltd
Shauna Roper – Chief of Staff, Global Procurement, HSBC
Alwin Swales – Partner, PwC UK
Cecil Peters – Global Head of Supplier Issue Management Oversight, JPMorganChase
Sonia Meggie – Talent Delivery, Bloomberg
David Ziyambi – Partner, Latham & Watkins
Tim Campbell – Business Entrepreneur
HSBC Powerlist No.1 Award – Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Bank of England
2026 POWERLIST DISTINCTION AWARDS
Mastercard Business Excellence Award – Dame Pat McGrath, Renowned Makeup Artist and Founder, Pat McGrath Labs
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Global Executive Leader Award – Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman, PwC
JP Morgan Special Outstanding Achievement and Contribution Award – Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO, MOBO Group
2026 POWERLIST AWARDS
PwC Purpose Award
Professor Faye Ruddock, Founder & Chair of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN)
Meta Technology, Innovation & AI Award
Dr Simon Osindero, Director of Research, DeepMind
Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Executive of the Year Award
Carlos Treadway, Executive Vice President International, Ford Credit
BP Business of the Year Award
ScreenHits TV, founded by Rose Hulse
Salesforce Woman of The Year Award
Bernardine Evaristo, Author and Academic
Paramount Entertainer Award
Vanessa Williams, Award-winning Actress and Singer