Award-winning author, journalist and Leeds Trinity University alumna and Honorary Fellow, Dorothy Koomson, has been presented with the Image Award at the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) 2019.
The BBBAwards, which aim to highlight the impact black professionals provide to the UK economy, recognise rising stars and senior leaders within the UK's business sector.
Dorothy, who was described by The Independent as one of 'Britain's biggest selling black authors of adult fiction', was presented with the Image Award, sponsored by Facebook, at St. Paul's Leonardo Royal Hotel, London on Thursday 3 October 2019.
This award recognises and celebrates an individual, who over a considerable amount of time within their chosen profession, has stood out amongst the crowd and set a record of excellence.
Dorothy said: "It feels truly amazing to have been bestowed this award. I was not expecting it at all and was just happy to have been nominated for the award in the Arts and Media category. When Melanie Eusebe told me in front of the other nominees just before the ceremony began that they were presenting the Image Award to me, I could not have been more shocked!
"Then to have Paulette Rowe of Facebook read out a list of my achievements and explain how my books made her feel was another incredible moment I find hard to explain. There was a video presentation about my work and what I had said and done over the years which, again, was an out of body experience.
"The whole night was like walking on cloud nine. I'll never forget it."
Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-Founder of the Black British Business Awards, said: "I am enormously proud of the winning talent in this year's BBBAwards and to be able to showcase such a versatile range of business excellence. I wish all the winners the greatest success in their onward journey".
Dorothy is an award-winning, global bestselling author of 15 books. Her novels include the Sunday Times bestsellers The Friend, That Girl from Nowhere, The Ice Cream Girls, The Woman He Loved Before, The Chocolate Run, The Cupid Effect and My Best Friend's Girl. Her books have been translated into more than 30 languages with sales that exceed two million copies in the UK alone.
An alumna of Leeds Trinity University, Dorothy studied Psychology and Public Media at Leeds Trinity (or Trinity and All Saints College as it was then) from 1990-1993 before taking on the role as Vice-President of the Students' Union. She was presented with an Honorary Fellowship in July 2018 and returned to the University in June 2019 to launch her latest book, Tell Me Your Secret.
View the full list ofBBBAwards winners.