Founder of the international Mobo Awards, the largest urban music awards in Europe
Kanya King MBE is living proof of the old adage that a genuine leader molds rather than seeks consensus. An internationally renowned entrepreneur through her role as CEO, founder, and visionary, of the MOBO Awards,
Kanya has displayed the rare drive and ambition needed to help take black music from the margins of British popular culture, made by disenfranchised artists, to the heart of the mainstream culture in the UK and around the world.
Kanya King is the founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, an awards ceremony established to appreciate music from black backgrounds.
Passionate to create a more diverse and inclusive world, Kanya has increased representation of the genres of reggae, jazz, hip hop, grime and rap and recognised people from black backgrounds across music, arts, media, culture and fashion- bringing increased awareness to diverse cultures worldwide.
Now booked as a speaker, Kanya King is sought to share how she made the MOBO Awards a success.
Since the first MOBO Awards, stars such as Goldie, Usher, Leona Lewis, Young T & Bugsy and more have been recognised. Kanya has fronted the awards for many years, watched by thousands in over 200 different countries. Outside of her work with the MOBO Awards, Kanya is also the co-founder of DanceStar and The World Dance Music Awards along with supporting charities such as The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, Warchild, Action Medical Research and The Loomba Foundation.
Highly commended for making mainstream media more inclusive and diverse, Kanya has been recognised on countless lists. She has been named on the Powerlist of Britain’s Most Influential Black People and the Debrett’s 500 list.
Kanya King has also been ranked on the 100 Most Powerful Women in the UK list, the London’s Most Influential People list, the Top 30 Ethnic Minorities in the Media list and named as one of Britain’s Most Entrepreneurial Women. She has also claimed the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and the Ambassador Award at the NatWest Everywoman Awards.
Appointed both MBE and CBE, Kanya is a role model of diversity and inclusion and has revolutionised the music industry with her inclusive awards. Having represented those forgotten by traditional awards, Kanya has set the standards for equality and is a fantastic female motivational speaker to encourage inclusion across society as a whole.
When looking for a motivational speaker who will empower and encourage audiences to support all no matter their race, ethnicity or gender Kanya King is a perfect choice.
Hugely in demand as a media figure and a go-to person for public speaking at community, educational and corporate events, Kanya is no stranger to giving inspirational addresses to everyone from the British Library and Leeds Metropolitan University to Morgan Stanley and the Scottish Institute For Enterprise as well as various engagements on the Continent. She has achieved widespread recognition having been bestowed with a series of honors.
Kanya is a very experienced and accomplished Public Speaker. She has had the pleasure of speaking at varied events and a diverse group of clients have enjoyed her inspirational life story and benefited from tips for budding and established entrepreneurs alike. Kanya King been hosted at community, charity, student and corporate functions including The House of Commons, Universities and Banks and at numerous business events and conferences.
Always an innovator, Kanya King sees obstacles as opportunities and has had a lot of practice at persuading people to come around to her way of thinking. The youngest girl of nine children born to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, Kanya grew up in a crowded council flat in Kilburn, North London in notably less enlightened times.
Co-founder of DanceStar & The World Dance Music Awards
2016 Media Pioneer Award from the Music Week Women in Music Awards
Named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the UK by Woman’s Hour & one of London’s Most Influential People by the London Evening Standard
Listed on the Powerlist of Britain’s Most Influential Black People & as one of Britain’s Most Entrepreneurial Women by Real Business
Named as one of the Top 30 Ethnic Minorities in Media by The Guardian & appointed CBE
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
In the realm of organizational transformation, few names resonate with as much authority and insight as Keith Ferrazzi. With a profound understanding of human behavior and a relentless drive to effect positive change, Keith has become a leading figure in guiding global organizations toward sustainable success. As the founder of the Greenlight Institute and chairman […]
Cara Brookins is a dynamic and inspiring motivational speaker known for her remarkable story of resilience, determination, and the power of self-reliance. As an author, builder, and keynote speaker, Cara captivates audiences with her unique journey of building a house from scratch using YouTube tutorials while raising her four children. Her story has been featured […]
Eric Davis is a combat-decorated U.S. Navy SEAL who served honorably for over 16 years. He has been recognized as one of the premier sniper instructors for the Naval Special Warfare sniper program, where he was the Stealth & Concealment course manager. Eric Davis | Navy Seal During his last tour in the SEAL Teams, […]
Michelle Lee is a trailblazing AI keynote speaker, renowned technology strategist, and leadership expert who is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. As the founder and CEO of Obsidian Strategies, she has carved out a niche in guiding organizations through the complexities of AI adoption, ethical implementation, and future-ready leadership. With a […]
Meet Kristel Bauer, a distinguished corporate wellness expert and TEDx speaker whose mission is to facilitate transformative journeys towards enhanced happiness, success, and well-being for both individuals and companies alike. With a multifaceted background spanning Integrative Psychiatry, business acumen, and media proficiency, Kristel brings a unique blend of insights and strategies to empower, inspire, and […]
Ahmen Sivaloganathan is the Batman of Social Impact as a nonprofit leader by day and hip-hop artist by night, while never losing sight of his most important roles as father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He has built a reputation as a Troublemaker for the status quo, orchestrating sustainable transformation and systems change for education, […]
Petra Velzeboer is a celebrated mental health expert, TEDx speaker, psychotherapist, and CEO of the renowned consultancy PVL. Her extraordinary personal journey from a challenging upbringing in a notorious cult to becoming a globally recognized advocate for mental well-being is both inspirational and empowering. Petra’s core message centers on cultivating psychologically safe workplaces and promoting […]
Susan Oh is a multi-award winning former business journalist (CNBC, Economist Intelligence Unit), trans media marketing campaigns creative (Expedia, Twentieth Century Fox), and civic technologist who has worked in Silicon Valley, New York City, Hong Kong, and Dubai. She is a globally respected thought leader and pioneer as among the first to model a commercially […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
