The founder and CEO of MOBO Awards, Kanya King is an internationally renowned entrepreneur, who has built from nothing a globally respected brand. Kanya's journey started when she was prepared to put everything on the line and re-mortgaged her house in order to raise the necessary finances for the first launch. Now her vision is seen by four hundred million viewers across two hundred countries and has become one of the most prestigious events that A-list celebrities attend. The first MOBO Awards was broadcasted on Carlton Television in 1996 and took place at London's Connaught Rooms, this starred Lionel Richie and Tony Blair.
With Kanya's guidance and shaping the MOBOs represents inclusion, diversity and recognition for BME talent within music, arts, media, fashion and culture. Kanya is an avid charity supporter that has helped many big and small organisations to gain awareness and funding, some of these include, The African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, Action Medical Research, Warchild, The Loomba Foundation and From Boyhood to Manhood. Kanya is no stranger in the media, making regular appearances for interviews and features on all major Television and radio channels.
Kanya is one of the most successful female entrepreneurs around which has seen her pick up many awards throughout her career as well as being noticed by a range of different organisations. Kanya was named on the Guardians Top 20 Ethnic Minorities in the Media, Evening Standard's 1000 Most Influential People in London, BBC's Woman's Hour Power List, Mayor's power list and by Real Business in association with the Bank of Scotland as Britain's 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women. For Kanya's huge influence and contributions to her industry she has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Music Week Women In Music Awards.
Kanya is a well established public speaker who has attended a massive range of events for a diverse group of clients. With experience hosting charity, community, student and corporate functions Kanya's delivery style is always well enjoyed with one of her previous clients stating "Her endless energy and positivity shines through in her speaking. Our employees left feeling motivated, invigorated and compelled to follow their dreams." From The House of Commons, Universities and banks to numerous other business events and conferences Kanya shares her inspirational story with passion and often follows the theme of 'beating the odds'. Kanya inspires her audiences proving anything is possible no matter where you come from.
In March 2024 we sat down virtually with Kanya King and discussed stories of what can be achieved with the right attitude and determination to celebrate the success and cultural impact of Black British entrepreneurs in the creative sector. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Kanya King.
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Agent Recommendation
"Founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King is a pivotal member of the BAME community. With her guidance and shaping, The MOBO Awards encompass inclusion and diversity, recognising all BAME backgrounds for their contributions to music, media, fashion, culture and the arts. A true advocate for equal opportunities for people of varying ethnic backgrounds, Kanya is an adept and eloquent speaker highly-sought to deliver inclusion and diversity keynotes across the globe."
How to hire Kanya King
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Kanya King for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Really great thank you!! She was a great inspiration and perfect way to close our team meeting." - Rav, Snapchat
"Kanya is an inspiration to women around the world! Listening to her journey really kicked off the launch of our diversity & inclusion program. Her endless energy and positivity shines through in her speaking. Our employees left feeling motivated, invigorated and compelled to follow their dreams." - AOL International
“Thanks again for your tremendous contribution to our conference on Friday. The feedback has been outstanding from delegates and sponsors and the tweeting was just unprecedented for IoD – UK wide, not just here." - Linda, IoD Northern Ireland
“It was great to have Kanya to speak – we have received some great feedback and our audience loved hearing your story." - Joanna, Partner Ernst & Young LLP
"She gave us an amazing in depth speech and answered all questions both coherently and comprehensively – so I think it’s fair to say Kanya was the best choice for our event. We have had glowing reviews from our participants who were impressed by her and also the fact that they were able to interact and ask her questions!" - Kofi, Deloitte
Feedback from Virtual Events:
"Kanya was our guest speaker at our recent early careers event, and was a great addition to the programme. She was extremely down to earth, very open to answering questions from the audience, and kept the attendees engaged throughout her entire presentation. We appreciate her willingness to share her career journey with our students and inspire the next generation" - Amelia, Kekst CNC
"Kanya was great today - she spoke in front of 80 people, both men and women, and was very honest and inspiring" - Victoria, Chief Communications Officer, Motorway Online Ltd
"Everyone has been well and truly blown away by Kanya today, feedback that it was the best talk that they've ever been to in Simply Business and I can only echo that feedback. Kanya truly captivated the entire audience and I'm so thankful to have had Kanya speak today" - Serena, TechOps Analyst, Simply Business
"We would like to say a very warm thank you for your amazing contribution to the success of today's event. We have received tremendous feedback on the event which was well attended (400+ unique participants) and the message well received. Representation is fundamental to achieving true diversity, equity and inclusion for all and whilst there is still work to be done, we believe stories such as the Mobos are the inspiration and examples that we all need to see. Thank you for sharing your vision, experience and craft with us all." - Ash, Lyfetech
- 2018 - Appointed CBE
- 2016 - Awarded the Media Pioneer Award at the Music Week Women in Music Awards
- 2015 - Named at No.60 on the 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs by Richtopia
- 2013 - Named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour & one of BBC's 100 Women
- 2011 - Named as one of London's Most Influential People by the London Evening Standard
- 2008 - Awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University
- 2006 - Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from London Metropolitan University
- 1999 - Appointed MBE
- 1996 - Founder of the MOBO Awards
- Listed on the Powerlist of Britain's Most Influential Black People
- Awarded the Ambassador at the 12th NatWest Everywoman Awards
- Awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
- Awarded the Contribution to Music Award from the Ghana Black Star Network
- Honoured as a Patron of Music at the City of Westminster College
