Kanya King

• Photo

Topics:

• Business
• Entrepreneurs
• Innovation & Creativity
• Inspirational
• Women

Kanya King MBE is an internationally recognised entrepreneur and innovator in the British music industry.   Kanya is a keen public and conference speaker and lends a proportion of her time to speaking at community, student and corporate functions. 

Founder of MOBO Organisation

As CEO and founder of MOBO Organisation, Kanya King is the dynamic force behind the MOBO Awards and has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK.

In the Beginning

Raised in Kilburn, North West London by her Ghanaian father and Irish mother, Kanya is the youngest daughter of nine children and grew up listening to and being inspired by black music. Whilst studying English Literature at Goldsmiths College in London, Kanya decided to organise her own live music events to highlight both the importance of and public demand for music of black origin.
 
Dedicated to following her passion, Kanya decided to take this one step further in 1996 whilst she was working as a TV researcher. Kanya came up with the idea of an awards ceremony with mass-market appeal, which would celebrate black music and music influenced & inspired by black music.

Having formulated a proposal and business plan for the MOBO Awards, Kanya King embarked on a tireless campaign to attract sponsors and interest from TV networks.

The makings of an Entrepeneur

Kanya’s overwhelming desire to succeed eventually led her to re-mortgage her house to raise the necessary finances to launch the first MOBO Awards. As well as funding the TV broadcast, Kanya organised the whole event in just 6 weeks. This involved assembling a production crew and securing sponsors, not to mention a star-studded line up and an audience to watch it! 
 
The hard work paid off and the show was a spectacular success attended by the likes of Tony and Cherie Blair, Lionel Richie and Gabrielle.  The MOBO Awards Show is firmly established as one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment calendar and boasts a past guest list that includes an array of 'A-list' celebrities, legendary performers and top executives.
 
Kanya’s sheer passion and dedication is clear for all to see.  This was highlighted a few years ago when the Queen invited Kanya to stand alongside JK Rowling and Cherie Blair at Buckingham Palace to celebrate exceptional achievements by British women.   Additionally, she is a Patron of the Horniman Museum.
 
In line with MOBO's aspirations of making positive differences and creating inspirational examples, Kanya accepted a role as one of the 'Fortune 5' in the ITV series, 'Fortune - A Million Pounds Giveaway'.
 
Kanya King is a prime example of an exceptional, strong, passionate and utterly determined British woman. She has always looked at the bigger picture and over the years MOBO has become 'much more than music'. 

Kanya was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Leeds Metropolitan University in July 2009

“One of the most powerful movers and shakers in this country”
Evening Standard

"She’s one of the most powerful women in the music business.”
Express Newspapers

For further information or to book Kanya King, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk