News / Babbasa
‘Exceptional’ CEO wins top social enterprise award
The founder and CEO of a youth social enterprise in Bristol has won an award to recognise his achievements and ambition in creating social change through business.
Poku Osei is one of five “exceptional” social entrepreneurs who have received the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize.
He founded Babbasa, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, to address the growing gap in the economic achievement of young people from some of Bristol’s most diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Aiming to help 16 to 25-year-olds fulfil their potential in education, employment or enterprise, Babbasa has supported more than 4,000 individuals from more than 60 cultural groups with mentoring, skills training and recruitment support.
The Cambridge Social Innovation Prize includes a £10,000 cash award for personal and professional development, plus mentoring from experts and support from a community of social innovators.
Poku Osei, the founder and CEO of youth social enterprise Babbasa, has been awarded the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize – photo: Ambitious PR
On receiving the award, Poku said: “I feel honoured to be receiving the prestigious Social Innovation Prize from Cambridge University, on the 10th anniversary of Babbasa.
“Taking into consideration where I’m from, this award reinforces for me that we can all descend the limits of our predefined story and pave the way for the future we desire.”
Nicole Helwig, executive director for the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, added: “On this the fifth anniversary of the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize, we are thrilled to celebrate five outstanding individuals.
“They come from diverse backgrounds with expertise and skills channelled towards creating social impact.
“They represent their ventures, but also the many people who work alongside them, behind the scenes and who are empowered through their efforts.”
The Cambridge Social Innovation Prize was launched five years ago, and is awarded by Trinity Hall and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read next:
- Babbasa celebrates ten years of empowering under-represented young people
- Bristol24/7 and Babbasa announce new partnership
- Poku Osei: ‘How do we not leave a whole generation behind?’
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