Sharon McBean, owner and founder of Nia Ballerina, is a finalist in the 2022 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards). Founded in 2014, the BBBAwards celebrate the exceptional performance and outstanding achievements of black professionals and business owners in the UK.

Established in 2016, UK company Nia Ballerina launched with a music box with a black ballerina in it. Today, the brand is available worldwide and the product range includes a black ballerina doll, rucksack, clothing and gift items. The company also has over 20 independent retailers in the UK, USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.

As well as collaborating with English National Ballet and Brown Girls Do Ballet based in the USA to support aspiring young black ballerinas, Nia Ballerina has also donated to dance schools in the UK, South Africa and Brazil.

To date, the BBBAwards have showcased over 350 individuals and 80 organisations who are championing Black excellence in business.

The BBBAwards ceremony is a key highlight of Black History month in the UK and the celebration is attended by senior business leaders, government officials and prominent Black influencers from all industries. Previous winners of the BBBAwards include Steven Bartlett, co-founder of Social Chain and the latest Dragon on Dragons Den; Dorothy Koomson, award-winning writer; and also Sir Trevor McDonald OBE.

The BBBAwards also collaborate with strategic partners and drives cross-company initiatives that focus on the advancement of racial and ethnic minority professionals and business owners in the UK. Interventions that are delivering transformational impact include the Mid-Career Talent Accelerator; Race in the Boardroom; Employee Resource Group Leader eMBA Programme; Facebook Boost and Weber Shandwick ‘RISE’ strategic PR initiative.

The BBBAwards ceremony will take place in London on 29 September. For further information, please click here. For Nia Ballerina wholesale enquires, please contact info@niaballerina.com.