07/12/2025
Congratulations to Dominic Nelson-Ashley who is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Sticks and Stones Magazine .
Dominic Nelson Ashley is a pioneering careers advisor, award-winning social entrepreneur, poet, and long-standing community mentor whose work has shaped the social, educational, and cultural landscape of the Tees Valley and beyond.
Dominic made history as the first Black careers advisor in the Tees Valley, breaking barriers and setting new standards for representation within education and youth development. For over 30 years, he has mentored and guided individuals across the North East, empowering generations with the tools, confidence, and vision needed to pursue meaningful futures.
As a creative writer and poet, Dominic’s work has gained national recognition. His poetry has been integrated into A-level Sociology teaching, where it is used to explore race, identity, and social narratives. His writing is also featured by York St. John University to champion and promote Black entrepreneurship, reinforcing the power of lived experience and artistic expression in academic spaces.
In 2005, Dominic founded Solzaf, a groundbreaking social enterprise using music and creative arts to equip disadvantaged groups with vital employability skills. Solzaf’s innovative approach earned him the Best New Business Award (Community), highlighting his vision for social change through creativity, inclusion, and opportunity.
A vocal advocate for positive representation, Dominic has contributed to ITV News and the BBC, where he continues to promote uplifting and authentic Black narratives. His voice remains a trusted and influential presence in regional and national conversations about community, identity, and empowerment.
Across his diverse roles—advisor, poet, entrepreneur, and mentor—Dominic Nelson Ashley stands as a pillar of leadership, creativity, and transformation within the North East’s Black community.
Well done Uncle.
