NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON JUNE 29

Instructions

• Use a valid email address to nominate
• Let your nominee know you have nominated them
• If you are nominated but DO NOT wish to participate, please notify us (info@talantawards.com). We will be glad to take your name off our list.
• You are free to nominate yourself and also mobilize your fans, friends and family to nominate you.
• Voting will commence on June 30th

Names of shortlisted Nominees will be published on June 30th

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Functionally, the site offers more sophisticated interaction and upgraded features tools that will make it easier for you to find what you need and share it with others (via email and social media). Some of the many functions of the site includes:

• Our News categories (Talanta Buzz)
• Subscription & Sign up to receive Events and other updates via email;
• A Non flash rotating slider (viewable on mobile platforms) on our homepage that displays our most important news.
• Integration with social media like Facebook and twitter.
• Reorganized webpages content throughout the site so users know who we are and what we do, among other things

Please take a few minutes to explore our new site and share it with others.

This is an opportune time for you to share with family, friends and colleagues with/interest in Voices, who we are and how they too can join our cause, if interested. Thank you!

We are are still in process of re-developing the site and so be patient with us because we are not done yet!

If you have any questions or Feed back  be sure  to reach us through the contact form or  call us with the details on the contacts page.

Talanta Awards seeks to Recognize, Promote, and Appreciate positively utilized talents across Africa. Since its inception in 2008, over 200Artists and groups have been nominated with over 50 Talanta legendary statuettes presented to artists in the USA and Africa  in recognition of their talent and outstanding roles in their respective communities. After its first run in 2008, Talanta Awards has established itself as the biggest Christian award ceremonies in the Diaspora Awarding positively utilized talents in academics, performing arts and sports. In terms of quality and the lasting impact it has to the attendees, nominees and winners, Talanta has maintained an outstanding uniqueness in the four years of its existence.  Winners are determined through a rigorous voting process by their fans base.

Topping the list of winners was newcomer  Polly Odote   (NJ) who scooped 2 awards;

2011 Best upcoming Artiste and 2011  Person of the Year/Act of the Year/Outstanding role model. Others picking up awards included Dj Mo of  NTV and Capital FM running away with Best Radio/TV Presenter/Program/Dj/promoter award,  2011 Best Writer/Poet -Nyce Keiyoro (GA),  2011 Best upcoming Artiste  Polly Odote   (NJ),  2011 Best Dj/Promoter/producer -Josh Okore (NJ), 2011  Person of the Year/Act of the Year/Outstanding role model-  16yr old Polly Odote   (NJ),  2011 Best Instrumentalist -Wilta Harris (DE), 2011 Best Artiste -Esther Muthoni (Queen Essy) (NH),  2011  Best Artiste/or upcoming Outside USA – Juddy G (London, UK).

This years honorees were Apostle Lucy Muthami (DE) received a certificate of Honor as an outstanding mother figure to the youth, 24yr old Angela Maina the current Miss Africa New York was also appreciated for making Kenya/Africa proud together with the pageants organizers –Ladies of Prestige from Liberia.

Participants travelled from all over the US to attend the much anticipated awards show. Some of the states that sent representatives included Missouri, Washington,  New Jersey, North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland,  Massachusetts, Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Washington State, GA  among others. The church was filled to capacity with an estimated 300 attendees. The formal dress code made the event rich in style. The sound was great with heavy bass and crisp highs. A state of the Art video recording studio with 8 member crew with all their gears added quality and style to the event courtesy of Rev Printze Ngosso.

This years’ delegates included Kenya Mission to the U.N Amb. Deputy Permanent Rep. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo,  Counselor Ms Nairimas Ole Sein from the Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC, Pastor Mike of Abundant Life DE, Pastor Janet Okore (NJ), Pastor Danvas Makori (DE), Pastor Martin Ndegwa JCC (WA), Pastor Steve Kamau  Newlife Worship Centre (DE), Pastor Moses Mbugua of CCC (DE), Apostle Lucy Muthami (DE), Isaac Kuria of Myles of Great Hopes (NC).

At kick off the environment in the room was jovial and patience was exhibited by all present in the room. A recorded introduction of all the nominees marked the official start of the ceremony. With 8 models present, each nominee was ushered in by a model with a thunderous applause. This part was important to the organizers as it sought to recognize each artist individually, whether they won or not.

The award presentations then followed swiftly interspaced with more performances. The awards consisted of a nice well engraved statue bearing the Talanta Awards logo as well as the category name.

MC Alemba from Nairobi Kenya and Tata Shiku of Aroma Minstries in Dallas TX were the hosts this year. The MCs did a commendable job in filling in for lost time and getting everything moving .Classy Tata Shiku complemented Alemba’s hilarious persona and they even had several wardrobe changes somewhere in between the show to spice things up. The Talanta awards committee did a good job in securing great sound and pleasing stage decor.

Check out an hour long recorded version of Talanta Awards below as we work to try and get you the whole ceremony (in better quality) for your viewing pleasure. It starts with Amani, a 6 year old girl doing her live performance. We also have dozens of pictures courtesy of Joash Okore of NxT LvL Music http://www.nxtlvlmusic.com

View the Photos from the Event

More Pictures from Facebook Correspondents

Even More Pictures By Joash

View the Video recap**Coming Soon**

This year’s Talanta Awards ceremony is still the talk of town in Raleigh, NC and across kitchen tables all over America and beyond. The 3rd annual Talanta Awards events took place at the Lighthouse Convention Center in Raleigh, NC, on July 17th and 18th, 2010 with more than 14 states represented. Dr. Stan Wangenye of the UK and Professor George Wajackoyah of California were reported to have said that the event was absolutely memorable. Also present, at this colorful dress-up occasion, was the Kenyan representative to the UN, H.E. Zachary Muburi-Muita who was undeniably wishing that he could stay longer to enjoy the events immediately following the Talanta Awards and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the company of the attendees more. In his speech to the attentive audience, Hon. Muita reminded Kenyans in the USA that they will no longer need to wait for their passports to be sent to Kenya for the processing of replacement 10yr passports. He announced that the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC. has acquired some state-of-the-art equipment enabling them to generate the passports here in America, thereby shortening the processing and delivery time of the new, class C, passports. The Honorable Ambassador also participated in the presenting of the Awards to some of the Talanta Awards 2010 award winners. Other delegates who participated in presenting awards were Dr. Njoroge and his beautiful wife, Rev. Wambui Njoroge, Dr Joe Karogi, Apostle Mrs lucy Muthami, Dr. Stan Wangenye, Pastor David Kirk, Drs Mr. & Mrs. Njaramba, Pastor Muthemba and Prof. G. Wajackoya. Dr. Njaramba and his wife, Dr Mary Njaramba, also graced the occasion as well as Mr Elvis Towett of UPYA, and Pastor Muthemba of UBRC. Also present were Mr James Njoroge of NY, Pastor Margaret Kiilu of DE, Mr and Mrs Nyutu of NC, Mr and Mrs Nankhuni of Malawi, and Mr. Chris Wamalwa (KTN &Standard correspondent).

Many Gospel Artists and Artist groups including Betty Maina, Jaci Madegwa, chozen vessels, Jesus Christ Groupies, Gospel revivers, DKamaa, Kamnao, KJean, Irene Magunga, Grace Faraja, QBC, Infinity, L4C, VOW, God’s Replica, DFI Youth, and the Messengers were also present at the Talanta Awards event. They joined the congregation in giving praises and worshiping God from within the pews while The Messengers did their thing on stage.

The praise and worship lead team, The Messengers, is group of young Congolese gospel singers lead by Grace Faraja. The group members, Emanuel, John, Patrick, Jean De Dieu, and Baraka are all Congolese who spent some years living in Kenya (Some, like Pastor Steve Ndegwa, remember them as “The Congo Boys” for that is what people called them, in years past, when he used to preach to them). This group teamed up with Miss. Emil of Tanzania and Miss Faith of Kenya in leading the Talanta Awards events attendees into awesome coupé De’cal`e and sevens praise dances. Pastor Steve Ndegwa, excited about this reunion, also joined the praise and worship team in leading the congregation into dancing and worshiping the Lord as in the days of David. Pastor Steve later preached to the congregation making that the second sermon of the day after Pastor Dr. Wangenye sermon entitled “Let Reuben Live”. Various artists later ministered to the congregation including Christle Njambi, who later received the Talanta 2010 best junior artist award. Others who performed are Kamnao, KJean, Betty Maina, infinity, Irene Magunga, Apostle Lucy Muthami, Grace Faraja, Christ of DRC, Chozen vessels, God’s Replica, l4c, and Pastor Steve Kamau of DE.

The height of this two-day event was when the Talanta 2010 awards were presented to the winners with Best Collabo Award going to Mr. Sam/ DJ Jay/ Infinity/Bonafide and Best Praise and Worship team going to Voices of worship (VOW) of Kansas City. Tata Shiko (Rose Mwangi) was voted the person of the year/Outstanding Role Model while the DFI youth got the Best Drama/Play of the Year award as well as the Best Dance Group award. The DFI group is the youth group from Bishop Paul Mulani’s church in Maryland whose dance wowed the audience with their well choreographed moves. This group includes a girls’ artists group, L4C led by Irene Nankhuni of Malawi. Mr. Bonafide and Infinity from NC both scooped the best artist and group of the year awards respectively. The Best Male Artist award went to KJean, a Congolese artist based in TX, USA, while the best Female artist went to Grace Faraja also from DRC. Miss Faraja, an awesome praise and worshiper, is currently based in NC, USA. Bible Trivia was conducted live during the awards show, a surprise that was overwhelmingly commended by all, including H.E. Muita and Rev. Wambui Njoroge. The audience was awed by the 10-15year olds who answered the tough questions with ease while some of the adults did not know the answers. Irene Magunga of DE conducted the trivia with professionalism, charisma and ease. The last contender left standing and the winner and this is none other than Master Kwendwa Barine (12yrs old). Other Bible trivia participants (Faith Kiilu, Christle Njambi, Joy Muthami and Grace Neema Muthami) did not leave empty handed but were awarded tens of McDonald’s free dessert coupons. Master Barine made the second youngest Talanta Awards statuette winner after Christle Njambi (10yrs old). Christle is the daughter of Pastor Steve Kamau of Delaware while Master Barine is the son of Rev. Stephen Barine of NC.

The Talanta Awards 2010 hosts included Thomas Njuguna (IN), Anne Nzuki (KS), Flo Mutiso (GA), and Angela Muiruri (Miss Kenya USA 2009). Flo and Angela conducted all interviews with the artistes including a breakfast on Saturday morning where all present artistes interacted freely sharing their experiences in the Gospel Music Industry. Thomas cracked up the audience as usual with his dramatic on-point jokes as he and his co-host Anne changed the designer attires every other minute!

Mr Isaac Kuria was honored for the good work that he does in the Kenyan community. He avails clean water to Kenyan children by building bore-holes in rural Kenya. Kennedy Odede a student in Connecticut who was a nominee for act of the year/youth role model was also mentioned in the honoraries. Through his non-profit organization, he has built a school and a clinic in Kibera, talk of agents of change!!

Ms Meggie in her vote of thanks to all participants young and old gracefully displayed her delight in supporting, loving and embracing the young people and encouraging them to soar in areas of their talents. She is often heard quoting 1Tim 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” when encouraging the youth. She noted that, more often than not, anything to do with the youth is looked down upon causing them to be discouraged, withdrawn or without hope. Talanta is out to do everything possible to support the young people.

She also announced the preliminaries/auditions to be conducted in individual states in preparation for the Talanta Awards 2011 and each year thereafter. Winners in these preliminaries will be later announced as the nominees who will be published on the website as voting opens soon after the states auditions tour is over.

Another one of the great surprises this year was when Maggie shared with the audience two letters from young girls who would otherwise have no future to speak of. The girls wrote to her with the hope that Talanta awards would pay their school fees after they heard that she supports young people. Compassionately, she requested the attendees to give towards the girls’ school fees. One girl’s school fees and pocket money was raised in a matter of 10 minutes. The other girl still waits for any volunteer to pay for her school fees. One year’s school fees is Kshs 30,000/= should anyone have this burden, they are encouraged to contact Meggie for the girl’s information.

For more information, stay turned at www.talantawards.com