Entrepreneur Zoe Bennett underlined a message of hope and belief in striving for positive change as she welcomed around 250 guests to her glittering 50th birthday celebration.
Held at the Throne Shisha Lounge, in Birmingham city centre, the party was also attended by actor and comedian Richard Blackwood, Errol Reid of China Black and singer Malika Ferguson.
The event is raising funds for the Nazir Awan Foundation which helps underprivileged communities in the West Midlands.
Zoe said: “Life can feel like just a series of numbers, but it is so much more than that. Now I have reached the number 50, I realise that we can keep pushing to be the best version of ourselves throughout our lives.
“We all have hope for the future. It us up to us to fulfil our lives to the best of our ability.”
Zoe’s daughter Aliyah, 15, gave a speech which honoured her mum, hailing her as an inspiration to many.
“My mum never stops,” she said.
Zoe, BEM, paid tribute to Aliyah for her confidence in public speaking.
She said: “It’s amazing to see your children grow in confidence. Aliyah has always been shy and just a couple of weeks ago she had to have her appendix removed after being in agony.”
Preston-born Zoe, who now lives in Sutton Coldfield, recently celebrated 10 years in business for her multi award-winning company, Training Personified.
It has changed the lives of more than 7,000 students and has recently clinched major new contracts from nationwide organisations.
Former students who have secured life-changing opportunities thanks to Training Personified’s courses were also there to cheer Zoe, also known as the Motivational Queen, on.
Zoe has also been at the helm of the renowned Multicultural Business and Community Champion (MBCC) awards. Winners have included unsung heroes from across the UK, as well as iconic people in the public eye, such as Sir Trevor MacDonald, Sir Lenny Henry, Beverley Knight, Adrian Lester, Levi Roots and Alison Hammond.
