On Saturday, 7th December 2024, the Dublin Royal Convention Centre came alive with celebration as the Black and Irish Gala Awards powered by RTÉ took centre stage. Under this year’s theme, "Paint the Town Black," the event was a celebration of Black excellence, cultural pride, and community achievement. Among the highlights of the night was Mamobo Ogoro, CEO of GORM, receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year award sponsored by Goodbody.

The Black and Irish Gala Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of the Black Irish community across various fields. This year, the event was made even more meaningful with a message from President Michael D. Higgins, who commended the community’s impact in a letter to Black and Irish CEO Leon Diop:

"This important event is a wonderful celebration of the remarkable contributions that those who are Black and Irish have made, and continue to make, to the social, cultural, and professional fabric of our nation."

These words captured the spirit of the evening, a reminder of the invaluable role the Black Irish community plays in shaping Ireland’s identity and future.

Reflecting on her award, Mamobo shared a heartfelt message about her journey:

"I honestly never started this journey wanting to be an 'entrepreneur'…. But in 2020, I saw a social problem and had to tackle it! So GORM was born. We are at a crossroads in society, and the need to bridge across differences is so needed for our communities and companies to be more cohesive and resilient."

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Through Mamobo’s leadership, GORM has created significant impact by amplifying underrepresented voices, delivering transformative intercultural training, and fostering unity in Ireland and beyond. This award highlights not just Mamobo’s leadership but also the core mission of GORM unifying across differences, amplifying voices, and proving that resilience, passion, and community can transform the world.

Under Mamobo’s stewardship, GORM has made meaningful strides, from producing powerful media campaigns to equipping businesses with tools for intercultural understanding. The organisation continues to play a vital role in promoting diversity, fostering belonging, and building bridges across divides.

This night was also a celebration of the community that uplifts and supports them. From partners and supporters to advisors and friends, it’s this collective spirit that fuels progress. As Mamobo said:

"Behind every entrepreneur, there is a hardworking team. To my team, our supporters, our partners, our advisors, our friends, and our community… THANK YOU ✨💙"

Want to learn more about GORM and how we’re unifying across differences? Explore our Catalogue of Trainings, our Wideshot Programme and our Elevating Voices work.

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