Award-winning actor, musician and activist celebrated for his achievement in the arts and contribution to British culture
Tribute marks a key moment in the lead-up to the MOBO Organisation’s landmark 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
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London, 13 June 2025 — Today, MOBO paid tribute to global icon Idris Elba with the unveiling of a commemorative paving stone at Barking & Dagenham College, the place where the acclaimed actor, musician and activist first studied and began his creative journey. The tribute forms part of MOBO’s Paving The Way award, which celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact while continuing to uplift and give back to the communities that helped shape them.
Elba joins a distinguished group of recipients including Dame Denise Lewis OBE, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill DBE, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Nicola Adams OBE, Wiley, and Ms Dynamite MBE. The paving stones are chosen by award-recipients to be placed in locations that hold deep personal meaning. Choosing to lay his stone at his former college, where he studied for a BTEC in Performing Arts in the early 1990s, Elba’s tribute marks a symbolic return to his roots and a powerful gesture of inspiration to the next generation of creatives.
The event took place inside the college’s state-of-the-art Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. The day also featured an intimate Q&A with Elba, bringing together students from Barking & Dagenham College’s media and production courses and rising talent from the MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 — alumni of MOBO’s acclaimed artist development programme.
Speaking at the event, Elba reflected on his creative journey and career, sharing personal insights and advice with the next generation of creatives. He also addressed the urgent issue of youth violence in the UK, shedding light on his ongoing efforts to tackle knife crime — a cause he remains deeply passionate about.
Speaking on the honour, Idris Elba said: "Coming back to Barking & Dagenham College, the place where I first started to shape my creative voice, and being recognised by MOBO in this way is a full-circle moment. MOBO has always stood for more than just music; it’s about visibility, opportunity and pushing culture forward. To be honoured with a Paving the Way stone here, where my journey began, is deeply meaningful. I hope it stands as a reminder to every student walking through these doors that greatness can come from anywhere."
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO, said: “Idris is living proof that dreams nurtured in local communities can echo across the world. His journey from this very college to global acclaim shows what’s possible when talent meets tenacity. At MOBO, we believe in celebrating those who not only break barriers, but who return to build bridges. Honouring Idris with this Paving the Way stone isn’t just about looking back — it’s about lighting the path forward for generations to come.”
Natalie Davison, Principal and CEO of Barking & Dagenham College, said: “We are honoured Idris chose to lay his MOBO paving stone here. His continued support and willingness to inspire our students mean the world. He’s living proof of how education can transform lives.”
The commemorative paving stone, which now sits proudly at the college entrance, is inscribed with the words:
“Don’t get labelled — labels are for cans.”
The inspiring event follows the launch of MOBO Help Musicians Amplified — a new 12-month career accelerator programme created in partnership with the MOBO Trust and Help Musicians to support musicians creating music of Black origin, offering up to £3,000 towards their own music project, 1-2-1 business guidance and industry networking opportunities. Applications are now and you can find out more information here.
The MOBO Organisation’s 30th anniversary in 2026 will be marked by major announcements across music, culture and tech — including a landmark MOBO Awards ceremony (details to be announced soon) and a new MOBOLISE initiative tailored to the AI community.
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For Barking & Dagenham College media enquiries, please contact:
Kate Bishop, Wow! Marketing Ltd - [email protected] / 020 8441 8615, 07885 405 387
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About MOBO:
Since 1996, the MOBO Organisation has discovered and supported talent in music, film and TV. MOBO operates 365 days a year to create events, content, partnerships and opportunities for young people in the entertainment industries and beyond. For close to 30 years, the MOBO Awards has remained a significant cultural event in the British music industry, celebrating excellence in Black music and culture. Its enduring legacy as the premiere outlet for recognising and honouring the artistic achievement of exceptional British and international talent in Hip-Hop, Grime, R&B and Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Alternative, Gospel and African music has been unparalleled. Global superstars who have been part of the Awards include Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Sade, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Central Cee, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Rihanna, Cardi B, Tems, Davido and Stormzy — just to name a few. The Awards has proudly been hosted all over the United Kingdom over the years, including shows in Newcastle, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Coventry and Sheffield.
Beyond the Awards, MOBO supports undiscovered talent in music via MOBO UnSung, and across the wider creative and tech industries MOBO supports and connects career opportunities for Black talent via MOBOLISE, a platform to empower diversity, excellence and transformation in the workplace. Through the MOBO Trust and our long-standing partnership with Help Musicians, we’ve invested nearly £1 million in funding, mentorship and development support — helping artists turn ambition into action.
About Barking & Dagenham College
Barking & Dagenham College offers technical and professional training, from entry level to level 7 that prepares people for work or for university. Qualifications on offer at the college range from Apprenticeships, BTECs, City and Guilds, HNDs, NCFE/CACHE, NVQs, T-levels, and a range of professional qualifications such as AAT. With industry-standard facilities and real-work training environments, the college welcomes all age groups. The College has the Matrix Award for Advice and Guidance, STEM Assured kite mark, and Investors in People Gold Status. The College has won a number of prestigious national awards including: Beacon status by the AoC in 2016, Coding College of the Year 2016, as well as the Tes Award for Best Teaching and Learning Initiative in 2018 for its “holistically and usefully” integrated STEM across wider curriculum areas. In April 2018 the College was named as Training Provider of the Year by Creative & Cultural Skills.
In February 2018, the College was awarded a £5m share of £25.7m funding by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan to complete its Centre for Advanced Technologies. In 2021 the college opened the Idris Elba Studio, named after one of its famous alumni. The fully working, professional-standard television and film studio features five cameras and a gallery, a large digital production (green) screen, two broadcast video edit suites, an audio edit suite and the Foley Room which houses recording equipment for voices and sound effects.
Its teaching staff has received a number of nominations and awards: VQ Teacher of the Year 2016, Pearson FE Lecturer of the Year Silver Teaching Award 2016, Regional Santander Employability Champion Winner for London and the South East 2017, two teachers awarded in Maths Teacher of the Year Awards 2017, ENTHUSE award for excellence in STEM teaching 2017, a top 50 shortlist for Global Teacher of the Year 2017 and winner of the Festival of Learning National Tutor Award 2017.
The college has around 600 students per year and an annual turnover of £36 million (Source: Audited Accounts 2022/23). More information can be found at www.bdc.ac.uk
