Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE Wins First Commonwealth Cultural Enterprise Award For Women In Music In Commonwealth Businesswomen Awards

Commonwealth Businesswomen (CBW) Strengthening the Commonwealth. Building Businesses. Advancing Women. 53 Countries. One Platform. An accredited organisation focused on women’s leadership and economic empowerment recognised by 53 governments.

Commonwealth Businesswomen Network (CBW) London, UK, Registration No: 09174835 Tel: +44 (0)7956 456335 E-mail: arif.zaman@cwbusinesswomen.org Web: www.cwbusinesswomen.org

PRESS RELEASE 23 April 2018 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHI-CHI NWANOKU OBE WINS FIRST COMMONWEALTH CULTURAL ENTERPRISE AWARD FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC IN COMMONWEALTH BUSINESSWOMEN AWARDS

In the first ever award for a woman in the creative industries in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network and Commonwealth Resounds, two accredited organisations recognised by all Commonwealth Governments, made their first joint award to Chi-chi Nwanoku, OBE from the UK. The Award for Cultural Enterprise Women in Arts (focus on Music) was made by an Advisory Panel consisting of a representative of each organisation and recognises a woman who has made a difference to the creative and cultural industries through achievement in music.

As Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of the CHINEKE! Orchestra, Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE has made a huge impact upon young musicians from black and ethnic minorities, and has given many young people the confidence to push themselves harder. Chi-chi’s own struggle to achieve success and acclaim is an inspiration to aspiring women in the arts across the Commonwealth.

Alison Cox OBE FRSA. Founder and Co-Director. The Commonwealth Resounds, said:-

‘I am delighted to have been able to collaborate with the Commonwealth Businesswomens' Network to create this exciting new opportunity for talented, deserving women working in the arts throughout the world. The Cultural Enterprise Award for Women in the Arts will celebrate and acknowledge those who are a genuine inspiration to others, and who deserve to be recognised for their achievements. For this very first award, the focus has been on music, and the adjudicators felt that no-one deserved it more than the double bass player, Chi-chi Nwanoku. Chi-chi received it not only for her brilliance as a performing musician, but also for creating and developing the unique Chineke! Orchestra.

The 3rd Commonwealth Businesswomen Awards were held on 18 April at The Mayfair Hotel in London during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London. The Awards aim to celebrate the achievement of women in business across the Commonwealth with one powerful message: the Commonwealth’s billion-plus women need to be celebrated and women’s economic empowerment has to be prioritised, pushed and praised.

For award citations and further detail see https://cbwawards.org/

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ABOUT Commonwealth Businesswomen's Network The Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBW) is the only organisation recognised (‘accredited’) by the 53 Commonwealth governments for women in business. It encourages, enables and embeds economic empowerment through outcomes across the ‘3 Ts’ of trade, talent and training that are measurable, impactful and scalable.

It is the lead strategic partner for the Women in Business Programme of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and works with regional partners across all 5 continents of the Commonwealth in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Americas and Europe.

The Commonwealth Resounds!

CONTACT DETAILS Website: https://cbwawards.org Twitter: @CWealthBizWomen

Alison Cox Tel: +44 (0)7816 103194 Email: tcr2015@btinternet.com

Tel: +44 (0)7956 456335

E-mail: arif.zaman@cwbusinesswomen.org

Web: www.cwbusinesswomen.org