Latest news with #PavingTheWay
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger'
Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he 'got to dream bigger' On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person. Actor Idris Elba has unveiled a commemorative stone from Mobo at a London college that helped him "dream bigger" as a student. On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person. His stone forms part of the Paving The Way award, issued by the Mobo organisation, which supports talent in music, film and TV and holds an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in black music and culture. The award celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact in the arts, with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and comedian Sir Lenny Henry among the recipients. The award winners are asked to choose a location for the stone that holds a deep personal meaning, with Elba choosing the college where he studied performing arts. The event, which included a Q&A with the students, took place inside the college's Idris Elba Studio - a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. Article continues below Asked by a student if he had ever imagined how successful he would become, Elba said: "I mean, yes, I think to be here in the first place, you're already imagining what the future can be. "And so I was always thinking about what success might look like. "I didn't know how to get there, but I could see it. I could see it on the silver screen. I could see it in my idols, Eddie Murphy, I saw it everywhere. "But the truth is, what kept me grounded, what kept me focused (as a student) is being in a facility where I get to fall down, get up, fall down, as many times as I want, and I literally found this place, we all did, as a haven, a safe space to actually, not only imagine yourself being a movie star, but try it and fail, and try it, and fail. "The thing about dreaming is that it happens on a 24-hour cycle. "So every day I got to come back here, I got to dream bigger. I got to, definitely learn and sharpen how I was going to get there, and that's really important." Article continues below Elba unveiled the stone alongside Mobo Awards founder and chief executive Kanya King. It reads: "Mobo. Paving the way for the next generation. Idris Elba. 'Don't get labelled, labels are for cans'." Alongside his acting career the film and TV star performs as a DJ and has campaigned against knife crime.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Watch the moment Idris Elba is given top MOBO honour by Kanya King
A-LISTER Idris Elba made a heartfelt return to his old stomping grounds as he's given top MOBO honour by Kanya King CBE. The 52-year-old was honoured with the prestigious 'Paving the Way' stone outside Barking & Dagenham College — the place where his journey into the arts first began. 8 8 8 8 8 Dressed in all black and flashing a grin, Idris was joined by MOBO Awards founder Kanya, students, and local supporters for a red carpet-style unveiling at the college entrance. His stone is inscribed with his own words: 'Don't get labelled – labels are for cans.' Paving the Way stone honourees are chosen by the award-recipients to be placed in locations that hold deep personal meaning. The event was a full-circle moment for the Luther star, who studied Performing Arts at the London college back in the early '90s. Now a globally celebrated actor, DJ, producer and activist, Elba took the moment to reflect on his roots and the importance of giving back. He said: 'Coming back to Barking & Dagenham College, the place where I first started to shape my creative voice, and being recognised by MOBO in this way is a full-circle moment. MOBO has always stood for more than just music; it's about visibility, opportunity and pushing culture forward. 'To be honoured with a Paving the Way stone here, where my journey began, is deeply meaningful. I hope it stands as a reminder to every student walking through these doors that greatness can come from anywhere." The event also featured the college's state-of-the-art Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. MOBO CEO Kanya also reflected on the moment, she said: 'Idris is living proof that dreams nurtured in local communities can echo across the world. His journey from this very college to global acclaim shows what's possible when talent meets tenacity. 'At MOBO, we believe in celebrating those who not only break barriers, but who return to build bridges.' 'This show is fire' say fans as Idris Elba series returns for second season of hit TV show Back In December, Kanya announced that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and given just six months to live. The diagnosis had been a shock to King as she had been leading a healthy lifestyle which included not drinking alcohol, not smoking and exercising regularly. The music industry pioneer is receiving treatment and said the diagnosis has been a "huge change" to her life as medical scans, treatments, appointments and administration have now become her "new normal". Speaking about the Idris' award she added: " Honouring Idris with this Paving the Way stone isn't just about looking back — it's about lighting the path forward for generations to come.' Elba joins an exclusive list of icons honoured with a Paving the Way stone, including Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Lenny Henry, Nicola Adams, Wiley, and Ms Dynamite. 8 8 8
Leader Live
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger'
On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person. His stone forms part of the Paving The Way award, issued by the Mobo organisation, which supports talent in music, film and TV and holds an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in black music and culture. The award celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact in the arts, with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and comedian Sir Lenny Henry among the recipients. The award winners are asked to choose a location for the stone that holds a deep personal meaning, with Elba choosing the college where he studied performing arts. The event, which included a Q&A with the students, took place inside the college's Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. Asked by a student if he had ever imagined how successful he would become, Elba said: 'I mean, yes, I think to be here in the first place, you're already imagining what the future can be. 'And so I was always thinking about what success might look like. 'I didn't know how to get there, but I could see it. I could see it on the silver screen. I could see it in my idols, Eddie Murphy, I saw it everywhere. 'But the truth is, what kept me grounded, what kept me focused (as a student) is being in a facility where I get to fall down, get up, fall down, as many times as I want, and I literally found this place, we all did, as a haven, a safe space to actually, not only imagine yourself being a movie star, but try it and fail, and try it, and fail. 'The thing about dreaming is that it happens on a 24-hour cycle. 'So every day I got to come back here, I got to dream bigger. I got to, definitely learn and sharpen how I was going to get there, and that's really important.' Elba unveiled the stone alongside Mobo Awards founder and chief executive Kanya King. It reads: 'Mobo. Paving the way for the next generation. Idris Elba. 'Don't get labelled, labels are for cans'.' Alongside his acting career the film and TV star performs as a DJ and has campaigned against knife crime.
South Wales Guardian
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger'
On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person. His stone forms part of the Paving The Way award, issued by the Mobo organisation, which supports talent in music, film and TV and holds an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in black music and culture. The award celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact in the arts, with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and comedian Sir Lenny Henry among the recipients. The award winners are asked to choose a location for the stone that holds a deep personal meaning, with Elba choosing the college where he studied performing arts. The event, which included a Q&A with the students, took place inside the college's Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. Asked by a student if he had ever imagined how successful he would become, Elba said: 'I mean, yes, I think to be here in the first place, you're already imagining what the future can be. 'And so I was always thinking about what success might look like. 'I didn't know how to get there, but I could see it. I could see it on the silver screen. I could see it in my idols, Eddie Murphy, I saw it everywhere. 'But the truth is, what kept me grounded, what kept me focused (as a student) is being in a facility where I get to fall down, get up, fall down, as many times as I want, and I literally found this place, we all did, as a haven, a safe space to actually, not only imagine yourself being a movie star, but try it and fail, and try it, and fail. 'The thing about dreaming is that it happens on a 24-hour cycle. 'So every day I got to come back here, I got to dream bigger. I got to, definitely learn and sharpen how I was going to get there, and that's really important.' Elba unveiled the stone alongside Mobo Awards founder and chief executive Kanya King. It reads: 'Mobo. Paving the way for the next generation. Idris Elba. 'Don't get labelled, labels are for cans'.' Alongside his acting career the film and TV star performs as a DJ and has campaigned against knife crime.
Glasgow Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger'
On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person. His stone forms part of the Paving The Way award, issued by the Mobo organisation, which supports talent in music, film and TV and holds an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in black music and culture. Idris Elba is joined by Kanya King during a visit to Barking and Dagenham College, London, which he used to attend, to lay a commemorative MOBO 'Paving the Way' stone (Lucy North/PA) The award celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact in the arts, with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and comedian Sir Lenny Henry among the recipients. The award winners are asked to choose a location for the stone that holds a deep personal meaning, with Elba choosing the college where he studied performing arts. The event, which included a Q&A with the students, took place inside the college's Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour. Asked by a student if he had ever imagined how successful he would become, Elba said: 'I mean, yes, I think to be here in the first place, you're already imagining what the future can be. 'And so I was always thinking about what success might look like. 'I didn't know how to get there, but I could see it. I could see it on the silver screen. I could see it in my idols, Eddie Murphy, I saw it everywhere. A The commemorative Mobo 'Paving the Way' stone (Lucy North/PA) 'But the truth is, what kept me grounded, what kept me focused (as a student) is being in a facility where I get to fall down, get up, fall down, as many times as I want, and I literally found this place, we all did, as a haven, a safe space to actually, not only imagine yourself being a movie star, but try it and fail, and try it, and fail. 'The thing about dreaming is that it happens on a 24-hour cycle. 'So every day I got to come back here, I got to dream bigger. I got to, definitely learn and sharpen how I was going to get there, and that's really important.' Elba unveiled the stone alongside Mobo Awards founder and chief executive Kanya King. It reads: 'Mobo. Paving the way for the next generation. Idris Elba. 'Don't get labelled, labels are for cans'.' Alongside his acting career the film and TV star performs as a DJ and has campaigned against knife crime.
