The national awards – sponsored by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) – will take place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on 19 March 2025, recognising individuals and organisations who continually strive to make workplaces and society more inclusive for all.
City of Birmingham Rockets’ Jackman is named in the Athlete Powering Positive Change category, sponsored by UK Sport and global insurance brokerage, Lockton, alongside athletics greats Greg Rutherford MBE and Sir Mo Farah, as well as Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford MBE, Alice Dearing (Black Swimming Association), Ruth Mwandumba (British Shooting), Shaunagh Brown (Centrica), Andy Sharpes (England Touch Rugby), Eartha Pond (ESP Foundation), Darcy Bourne (Raising Her Game), Cindy Ngamba (Refugee Olympic Team) and Asha Philip (The Athlete Gateway).
Since making English basketball history with team-mates Jamell Anderson, Kayne Henry and Myles Hesson by winning gold at Birmingham 2022, Jackman has been using his platform to give back to the sport, inspiring a whole new generation of basketball players and bringing communities together.
In his role as BE’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Officer, he administered BE’s 3x3 Legacy Fund, which engaged over 10,000 participants via 160 playing opportunities and educated 180 activators in the 3x3 format of the game.
He is currently delivering and activating, in collaboration with Sport England and Birmingham City Council, 17 refurbished basketball courts across Birmingham as part of the Commonwealth Games legacy project - bolstering basketball infrastructure in the city and increasing grassroots participation.
This year, he was also appointed to the Board of Commonwealth Games England.
"I am truly honoured to have been selected as a finalist for the British Diversity Awards, especially in such a strong category with other renowned British sports stars.
"Basketball has changed my life and so I use every opportunity presented to me to share the power of the sport and my experience with as many people as possible.
"The work that I do is never for the plaudits, it's simply because I know that those involved in basketball can thrive - whether that's playing, activating, coaching or supporting. It's been my pleasure to give back and keep championing our community."
#ProjectSwish is named in the Community Project of the Year category, facing competition from:
BE’s campaign to improve outdoor basketball courts across England was recently honoured with a bronze in the Sports Innovation Award category at the 2024 Sports Business Awards.
The award recognised an innovative idea that has positively impacted sport and society.
Basketball England’s Head of Participation Peter Griffiths, who created the original concept of #ProjectSwish, said:
"It is fantastic news to see #ProjectSwish recognised once again at a national awards.
"From nets to courts, the campaign has brought people from all walks of life together to enjoy getting active through basketball and use their local outdoor spaces. We thank the judges at the British Diversity Awards for understanding the significance of the campaign on communities across England. We look forward to the awards evening in March."
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