OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
THE NELAS ACADEMY OF ARTS, MEDIA AND TELEVISION
THE NELAS ACADEMY CONGRATULATES KIMBERLEY COLE ON HER NOMINATION FOR THE NELAS ACADEMY AWARDS 2026 AND SELECTION AMONG THE 50 MOST INSPIRATIONAL & HUMANITARIAN PEOPLE 2026
LAGOS, NIGERIA — 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
The President and Governing Council of The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television warmly congratulate Kimberley Cole, German entrepreneur, beauty business leader, makeup artist, lip technician, hairstylist and founder of mk by Kim C, on her nomination to receive the The Nelas Academy Awards 2026 and her selection among the 50 Most Inspirational & Humanitarian People 2026.
The dual recognition reflects The Nelas Academy’s commitment to identifying and documenting individuals whose professional achievements, leadership, entrepreneurial vision, community engagement and determination to create opportunities for others demonstrate meaningful and positive impact.
WHY KIMBERLEY COLE WAS NOMINATED
Kimberley Cole’s nomination is based on her remarkable entrepreneurial development and emerging leadership within the beauty and lifestyle sector.
Since beginning her entrepreneurial journey in 2022, Kimberley has developed mk by Kim C into a growing customer-focused business, demonstrating initiative in business development, relationship building, strategic sales, personal branding and digital engagement.
At only 29, she has demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset that extends beyond personal commercial success. She has also begun developing a leadership network, currently supporting and motivating active team members while progressing toward her future leadership objectives.
Her work demonstrates the capacity of a young entrepreneur to combine professional ambition with mentorship, confidence-building and female empowerment.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH EMPOWERMENT
A central reason for Kimberley’s recognition is her developing philosophy of leadership as she places emphasis on recognizing potential in others, motivating people, developing communication and sales skills, building confidence and encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their own professional goals.
Her ambition to grow her leadership community and complete her DIQ qualification and progress toward becoming an Independent Sales Director before 2027 reflects a long-term commitment to developing people alongside building her own enterprise.
For The Nelas Academy, this represents an important dimension of contemporary leadership: creating pathways for others to grow while pursuing one’s own goals.
BEAUTY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DIGITAL INFLUENCE
Kimberley has also distinguished herself through the integration of beauty, entrepreneurship and digital communication.
Her activities demonstrate how today’s entrepreneurs can use digital platforms not simply to market products and services, but to build communities, establish relationships, communicate ideas and inspire others. Her involvement in beauty, fashion and networking events further reflects her commitment to creating environments where entrepreneurs, brands and customers can connect, collaborate and increase their visibility.
WHY SHE WAS SELECTED AMONG THE 50 MOST INSPIRATIONAL & HUMANITARIAN PEOPLE 2026
Kimberley Cole’s inclusion among the 50 Most Inspirational & Humanitarian People 2026 recognizes the broader values represented by her entrepreneurial journey. The initiative celebrates individuals whose lives and work demonstrate inspiration, leadership, resilience, service, creativity, community building and positive human impact.
Kimberley’s selection is particularly associated with five qualities:
1. Entrepreneurial determination
She has demonstrated the courage and discipline required to build a business and develop it through sustained customer and relationship management.
2. Female empowerment
Her vision extends beyond her personal success to encouraging women to recognize their potential, develop confidence and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
3. Leadership development
Through her growing team, Kimberley is developing other people’s entrepreneurial and professional capabilities while progressing toward higher leadership responsibilities herself.
4. Community and relationship building
Her networking and event activities create opportunities for entrepreneurs, customers and brands to interact, collaborate and build meaningful professional relationships.
5. Inspiration through personal example
Her journey demonstrates that age does not have to be a barrier to entrepreneurship, leadership or ambition when combined with consistency, determination and a willingness to learn.
It is these qualities that place Kimberley alongside the other 49 distinguished personalities selected for the 2026 edition.
50 STORIES. 50 LIVES. 50 BRIDGES.
The 50 Most Inspirational & Humanitarian People 2026 is a documentation initiative designed to preserve and share the stories of individuals whose work provides examples of positive action and human potential.
The 50 honourees come from different professional, cultural and social backgrounds. Their achievements are therefore not expected to be identical. Rather, they are united by the common principle that individual achievement becomes more meaningful when it creates inspiration, opportunity, connection or positive change for others.
Kimberley Cole’s story contributes an important perspective to this collective narrative: the story of a young woman building a beauty enterprise while developing leadership capacity, creating professional networks and encouraging other women to pursue entrepreneurship.
PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD AND INDUCTION CERTIFICATE
Kimberley Cole, together with the other 49 selected honourees, will receive her The Nelas Academy Awards 2026 recognition and official induction certificate during the forthcoming:
AFRICA–EURASIA CULTURAL EXCHANGE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES CONVENTION & AWARDS 2026
The international convention and awards programme, powered by The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television, in collaboration with technical partners like the Onwa Foundation will provide a platform for the celebration of outstanding personalities across culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, humanitarian action, leadership and community development.
The presentation of the 50 recognitions will form part of The Nelas Academy’s wider mission of using culture, media and creative industries to build bridges between Africa, Europe and Eurasia.
PRESIDENTIAL CONGRATULATIONS
On behalf of the Governing Council, management, members and international partners of The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television, I extend my sincere congratulations to Kimberley Cole on this distinguished recognition.
Your journey represents an encouraging example of what can happen when entrepreneurship is combined with determination, leadership, creativity and a desire to empower others.
The Nelas Academy recognizes not only the business you are building, but also the people you are seeking to inspire and develop along the way.
As you join the distinguished class of the 50 Most Inspirational & Humanitarian People 2026, we celebrate your achievements to date while encouraging you to continue pursuing your vision of building mk by Kim C into a recognized beauty and lifestyle brand and expanding your impact as a leader and mentor.
May this recognition serve as both an honour for your accomplishments and an encouragement for the greater achievements ahead.
Congratulations, Kimberley.
We look forward to celebrating you alongside the other 49 honourees at the Africa–Eurasia Cultural Exchange & Creative Industries Convention & Awards 2026.
FRANK IKEGWUONU
President
The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television
Issued by the Presidential Office of The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television.
