Nigerian writer and journalist Jerry Chiemeke has been shortlisted in the Writing Excellence category at the 2026 UK Black Comms Network (UK BCN) Trailblazer Awards, the second edition of its kind.
The UK Black Comms Network Trailblazer Awards recognise Black professionals and agencies in the UK for their work in public relations, communications and the creative industries. The awards celebrate individuals and organisations whose work has demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership across these fields. Golin Ketchum sponsors the 2026 edition.
The other nominees in the Writing Excellence category are:
- Chioma Nnadi
- Funmi Fetto
- L’oreal Blackett
- Nicole Vassell
- Sinai Fleary
Jerry Chiemeke is a writer, music journalist, film critic and lawyer. His works have appeared in The Africa Report, Berlinale, The Republic, Africine, Netng, Opera News Hub, Okadabooks, Bellanaija, The Bagus and The Lagos Review, among others. He is the winner of the 2017 Ken Saro Wiwa Prize for Reviews, and he was shortlisted for the 2019 Diana Woods Memorial Award for Creative Nonfiction. In 2020, he published Dreaming Of Ways To Understand You, a collection of short stories. He has covered multiple international film festivals in his capacity as a film critic, including the 2021 Blackstar Film Festival, the 2022 Durban International Film Festival, and the 2023 Berlinale. He is an alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Press and Talents Durban initiative.
He has also facilitated writing workshops in different parts of Nigeria, and for his contribution to the Nigerian literary community, he was presented with the 2019 Connect Nigeria Award for Excellence. In 2020 and 2021, he facilitated the Sprinng Writers Fellowship as one of its mentors.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony scheduled for February 25, 2027, at Kindred in London. Click here to get your tickets.
Congratulations, Jerry Chiemeke!
