Rare Rising Stars 2010 Launch Event

The House of Commons has hosted many events in its seven hundred and fifteen year history, but none quite like the one held in the Members’ dining room on the evening of Tuesday 21 September 2010.

After months of extensive searching, nominating, interviewing and judging the brightest black talents at UK universities, the wait was finally over. The Rare Rising Stars of 2010 were ready to be revealed.

The ten winners were honoured in front of their families, closest friends and a group of specially invited guests which included Rare’s Chairman, Sir David Bell, and the Rt Hon Baron Paul Boateng.

The inspiring ceremony was opened by Rare’s Marketing Manager Rachel Kerr, who introduced Sir David Bell. Sir David spoke about Rare’s journey since it was founded by Managing Director Raphael Mokades in 2005.

Raphael took to the stage to honour each Star individually and reveal their position in the top ten. The very close scores awarded to them by judges Trevor Phillips and Jean Tomlin only emphasised the high calibre of talents being recognised.

One by one, each Star was invited to the front to receive their certificate from Sir David and Baron Boateng. This year’s number one, Daniel Stone, was stunned to learn that he had made the top of the list: “I never expected it at all”, he says. “As the countdown progressed I kept thinking ‘I’m coming next’, and then it got to the top three and I really couldn’t believe it!”. Neither could his proud parents, who had travelled all the way from Birmingham with him for the occasion.

And, it certainly was a family occasion. In his closing keynote address, Baron Boateng emphasised the importance of family and community in navigating each Star towards their fantastic achievements, explaining beautifully that “all the feathers of the eagle are needed for the eagle to soar”.