Posted on 26 May 2023
Chichi Onyenemelu scooped the Outstanding Achievement award at the G15 Ethnicity in Housing Awards 2023, and Embrace took runner up in the Ethnicity Colleague Network Group category.
As our Social Value Manager and lead for the new Social Value Leadership Group, Chichi has been instrumental in changing the way the housing sector looks at social value by using it to transform communities. Her mission has been to ensure social value is at the centre of procurement processes, connecting customers and communities with much-needed resources and opportunities, made available through supply chains.
She also led on the development of the new Match My Project social matching platform – a virtual meeting point where community organisations and groups can find and receive help with their projects from our supply chain partners. Launched only last year – it’s already proving to be a game changer for social value.
Chichi said: "Thank you to my colleagues who nominated me for this award and well done to everybody who was nominated not only for this award, but across all categories. Keep up the great work.
“Being in the sector for almost 20 years, I’ve seen first hand the benefits and importance of having diverse voices represented in key discussions around the table. Collectively, our organisations house and support diverse communities. So it stands to reason that incorporating diverse view points and experience into the culture of our organisations, the type of work we deliver, how we deliver it and at all levels of our management and governance structures, will better meet the needs of our customers and communities. I know the work I do would not be nearly as impactful without the insight and contributions of a variety of people - from different walks of life.
“Thank you to the G15 for organising such a great event and shining the spotlight on our important work.”
Embrace, our Black and Minority Ethnic staff network group was runner up in the Network Group category. The group was recognised for its efforts in providing a safe space for ethnically-diverse colleagues, and raising awareness and educating the wider workforce to help create a more inclusive organisation.
Shola Alao Chair of Embrace said: “I was absolutely thrilled that our group has received the recognition it deserves. Not only do we raise awareness around issues and cultural events that are important to our colleagues, but we’re proud to also support Hyde through sharing experience."
"It was such an honour to be part of the celebration and also hear about the amazing work being done by colleagues across the G15 to achieve equity and inclusion. Thank you to all who nominated and continually support Embrace."
The G15, in collaboration with UNIFY, hosted the G15 Ethnicity in Housing Awards which recognise Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in the housing sector. The awards ceremony took place on 25 May at the Banking Hall, London and was hosted by June Sarpong.