Kaya Slater was recently crowned Sportsperson of the Year at the 2026 Black Scottish Awards, capping off a season to remember.
The Falkirk flyer was one of twelve winners at the prestigious event which celebrates excellence, diversity, and achievement within Scotland’s Black community and ally communities.
Holding back the tears when she was announced as the winner, Kaya is incredibly proud to have received the sportscotland sponsored honour.
The 20-year-old said: “The Black Scottish Awards to me is so special, especially because my dad grew up in a very different Scotland to the Scotland I visit and run for today.
“To be able to bring him to an event that didn’t exist in his time, and experience the support in the room, was a truly unforgettable experience, one that will stay with me for years to come.
“As a black woman, also being able to look around the room and see so many people who looked like me and were celebrating my success, was incredible.
“Being nominated was already an achievement for me. I was reading through the list of nominees and all of us were just as deserving. We all achieved some great things this year and I’m glad they were all recognised.”
Success, identity and inspiration
Kaya made her senior Scottish debut at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and was a member of the 4 x 100m relay team that reached the final. Her dad Roddy is a former international sprinter who also represented Scotland in the 1980 and 1990s, and who Kaya credits as her biggest influence.
She said: “The way he is as a person inspires me every day - to not just be a great athlete, but to be a good person.
“He is my biggest inspiration. When I’m struggling at training, he will encourage me to carry on, tell me I can do it and remind me of who I am.
“I want to be able to bring him around the world with me as I race, so we can both experience the excitement of being a professional athlete.”
Kaya now recognises her responsibility as a role model and thinks enjoyment is the key to inspire the next generation of athletes.
She said: “In my opinion track and field is one of the most versatile sports because we have so many events to enjoy.
“I started athletics quite young, and my dad let me try them all. For me that is the key, experiencing the different disciplines and having fun. Who doesn’t want to jump in a sandpit as a kid?
“Knowing I am a role model to young athletes is a privilege and is also scary. To think some young girls look to me the same way I look to athletes such as Beth Dobbin is a bit dauting.
“I’m determined to be the best athlete I can, set a good example, and support the next generation. It inspires and motivates me to keep trying when I’m struggling at training or working hard in the gym.”
The great Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Hera also inspired Kaya to put her spikes on and compete.
She added: “I loved watching her, she was my favourite athlete, and I would always tune in when she was running. What also struck me was, most of the women who were competing were the same colour as me, and they were all succeeding, I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
Leading by example
When asked what advice she would give to young people thinking about taking up sport, Kaya said:
“Try everything. Don’t limit yourself. Do everything you are curious about. Try kicking a football, running on the track, or jumping in the sandpit.
“The sky is the limit. But whatever you choose, make sure you are having fun and enjoying yourself no matter your age, race, or gender. Having fun will always make everything better.”
The Black Scottish Awards were established in 2023 by Dr Enoch Adeyemi to amplify the voices and successes of the Black community across various fields in Scotland.
He said: “When we launched The Black Scottish Awards, our ambition was simple: to shine a light on people whose achievements deserved greater recognition.
“Four years on, the awards have become a celebration of excellence, resilience and possibility.”
Reflecting on this year’s event, Kaya said: “I sat with young black girls throughout the awards talking to them, listening to their uplifting stories and it was fantastic to just be myself in a room with people who were supporting each other. Black people deserve to be celebrated the same way as everyone else.”
Kaya hopes that 2026 can be the springboard for future success.
She said: “This year I am working hard to qualify for the European U23 championships in Poland for Team GB again. I loved running for Team GB at U20s and would love to continue that for the rest of my career.”
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