Kanya King: Inspiring Diversity

  • Founder of MOBO Awards: Kanya King is best known for founding the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in 1996, which celebrates and honors achievements in black music and culture.
  • Pioneering Entrepreneur: As a trailblazing businesswoman, Kanya King’s vision for creating an award show that recognized underrepresented genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and reggae was ahead of its time. 
  • Cultural Icon: Kanya is a recognized leader in promoting cultural diversity and inclusion in the arts.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: London, Greater London
  • **Fee range: On Request

Keynote Topics

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 […]

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

Kanya King | Motivating Diversity

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

Talent resources available for download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

View further speakers

  • (19)

Marco Tempest is an internationally renowned magician who blends illusion, technology, and storytelling to create unforgettable experiences. With a unique blend of expertise in both traditional magic and cutting-edge technology, Tempest has established himself as a pioneer in the field of techno-magic, captivating audiences at conferences, corporate events, and high-profile gatherings around the world. His work […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (24)
  • (13)
Allison Massari

Allison Massari, an extraordinary inspirational speaker hailing from the scenic town of Belvedere, California. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as she not only overcame unimaginable adversity but has dedicated her life to inspiring others through her compelling story and motivational insights. Allison’s life took a drastic turn in […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • (13)
Katie Greer

Katie Greer is a leading expert in internet safety, with a mission to educate and empower audiences on navigating the digital world safely and responsibly. With over a decade of experience in the field, Katie has become a trusted voice for schools, parents, corporations, and law enforcement agencies. Her engaging and informative presentations have made […]

  • Travels from: Boston, MA
  • Security Speakers
  • (20)
Kaihan Krippendorff - Outthinkers Podcast

Kaihan Krippendorff is dedicated to equipping organizations and individuals with the tools to thrive amidst the whirlwind of today’s fast-paced technological disruptions. Renowned for his adeptness at unraveling complex concepts and translating them into actionable strategies, Kaihan stands as an internationally acclaimed thought leader, battle-tested consultant, and highly sought-after keynote speaker. With a focus on […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Business Speakers
  • (19)
Ali Brown

Ali Brown provides business coaching and advice to over 250,000 followers via her social media channels, and her Glambition® Radio show. Humble Beginnings Ali Brown, a native of Fairfield County, Conn., cut her teeth in marketing in her early 20s, starting as an account assistant at Mosby Consumer Health in Boston and working her way […]

  • Travels from: Scottsdale, AZ
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (21)
  • (4)
JP Pawliw-Fry

JP Pawliw-Fry is an internationally renowned speaker, thought leader, and co-author of the global bestseller Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most. With a career dedicated to enhancing leadership performance, emotional intelligence, and resilience, JP has captivated audiences around the world, delivering actionable insights that empower individuals and organizations […]

  • Travels from: Toronto, ON
  • Peak Performance
  • (36)

Connie Podesta is a game-changing, idea-generating ball of fire whose rare blend of humor, substance, style and personality have made her one of the most memorable, in-demand speakers in the world today. 25 years. Two million people. 1000 organizations. Hall of Fame speaker. Award-winning author. Nine books. Former radio/TV personality. Human relations expert. Therapist for 30 years. […]

  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (8)
Abbie Maroño

Dr. Abbie Maroño is a renowned behavioral scientist whose deep expertise in human behavior, decision-making, and non-verbal communication has revolutionized the field of psychology and behavioral science. She combines her academic research with practical applications, making her an authority in areas such as persuasion, influence, and trust-building. As a keynote speaker, she engages audiences with […]

  • Travels from: Orlando, FL
  • Behavior Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.