With 14 categories, Allyship, outstanding organisation in DEI & Lifetime Achievement Award, there’s something for everyone! Let’s pass the Baton on and continue paving the way for women across diverse backgrounds. Looking forward to The Baton Awards 2025.
About Us
The Baton Awards in action.
Shining a spotlight on women from a diverse racial group
The Baton Awards: Celebrating women from a diverse racial group from the Past, Present and Future, were founded by Dr Diahanne Rhiney BCAe, in honour of her late mother Caroline Rhiney to encourage women from a diverse racial group to overcome barriers to success in industries and professions where women from a diverse racial group struggle to be recognised.
A young inspirational speaker who recovered from a coma, a children’s coordinator for the musical The Lion King, a British Bangladeshi former boxer, a BBC London News correspondent – those were just a few of the winner’s stories from The Baton Awards inaugural ceremony, which was held at the Houses of Parliament in London in November 2018.
Our 2025 nominations will open in March 2025 and can be submitted in 14 categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Third Sector of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and STEM Trailblazer. Winners in each of the categories will receive their Baton Award 2025 from inspiring leaders, role models and pioneering predecessors (torchbearers) in the field they are making waves in.
“Racism remains a widespread issue in everyday working life for women from a diverse racial group in the UK and the world over as we continue to be served a ‘double disadvantage’ in education and industry. The Last year, I was humbled to see that our females from diverse racial groups are achieving so much in spite of such adversity, barriers and inequality. This marks the seventh annual Baton Awards event and we look forward to celebrating the contributions make by remarkable women across all the categories.”
The Founder
Dr Diahanne Rhiney BCAe is an award-winning global empowerment ambassador and Diversity Marketing pioneer who has made an immeasurable impact. She steadfastly established a global reputation in PR as the first to specialise in diversity marketing and race relations almost 30-years ago.
Diahanne is a respected agent of change with a clear and driven purpose to promote self-esteem as a tool for empowerment. Her experience in psychology and self-esteem centred healing is based firmly on identity, empowerment, inclusion and the inner-self. Having travelled the world in her mission to empower women all over the globe, studied extensively, and consistently implemented her method for female empowerment; Dr Rhiney founded The Baton Awards to honour women from diverse racial groups.
The NatWest Every Woman Award winner and TEDX speaker has been awarded a British Citizen Award for her positive contribution to empowering young people.
Our chosen charity
Strength With In Me (S.W.I.M)
So why S.W.I.M?
Domestic Abuse registered children’s charity Strength With In Me Foundation (S.W.I.M) is a pioneering approach to addressing domestic abuse. The charity raises awareness and promotes healthy relationships by equipping young people with the emotional tools to avoid, combat and leave toxic relationships.
The government finally published updated guidelines for councils, created in partnership with experts to ensure the U.K response to domestic meets the needs of victims from diverse racial groups who are unheard, misunderstood, marginalised and disproportionately affected by Domestic Abuse. S.W.I.M provides comprehensive intervention in response to the prevalence of Domestic Abuse among young girls and women, shining a spotlight on the 15% of victims from diverse racial groups affected by Domestic Abuse.
