Gambiaj.com – (London, United Kingdom) – Njok Malik Jeng, a prominent UK-based Gambian cultural promoter, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) by His Majesty King Charles III in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. The honour recognises Jeng’s outstanding contributions to the promotion of African arts, music, and community cohesion in the UK and Europe.

Founder and Director of Yaram Arts, Jeng has built a reputation as a leading cultural entrepreneur, festival curator, and tour manager, particularly noted for showcasing SeneGambian, African, and Caribbean artists across Europe.

The award, announced officially on 14 June 2025, is bestowed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Honours Committee, with recipients invited to a ceremonial investiture at St James’s Palace.

“This recognition is not just about me,” Jeng said upon receiving the award. “It’s about all the people who make this work possible—our artists, our audiences, our sponsors, and especially my team at Yaram Arts. I’m also grateful to Arts Council England for its unwavering support.”

Yaram Arts, under Jeng’s leadership, has expanded its reach into educational and therapeutic spaces, collaborating with schools, universities, and art therapy initiatives. Its annual flagship event, the Yaram Festival in East London, continues to grow in scale and reputation.

The organization also partners with the MSDG Project to support the professional development of the Gambia Police Band and has been a long-standing co-organizer of the MBOKA Festival—a major homecoming event in The Gambia launched in 2017.

The award has been met with warm congratulations from the artistic and cultural community in both the UK and The Gambia, where Jeng is celebrated for his role in elevating the profile of African heritage on the global stage.