This year, Black Girls Rock!, an organization founded by DJ Beverly Bond to empower Black girls who rock, will celebrate its 10th anniversary.
?Over the last ten years, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has reaffirmed the spectrum of brilliance that Black women possess and has helped forge a cultural paradigm shift regarding the ways that Black women and girls are depicted in media,? said Beverly Bond. ?I am proud that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is at the forefront of a new women?s empowerment movement inspiring women of color to define ourselves, to own our magic, to share our truth, to elevate our own narratives, to celebrate our brilliance and resilience, and to love ourselves fiercely.?
Tune in to BET on April 5 to see the party unfold. The televised special, ?BLACK GIRLS ROCK!?? on BET is a BET Networks and B.G.R. Enterprises Inc./BONDVISION MEDIA production.? Last year’s honorees included Jada Pinkett Smith (Star Power Award), Erykah Badu (Rock Star Award), Ava DuVernay (Shot Caller Award), Cicely Tyson (Living Legend Award), Dr. Helene D. Gayle (Social Humanitarian Award), and Nadia Lopez (Change Agent Award) with a special appearance and speech from First Lady Michelle Obama.
The executive producers are Beverly Bond, CEO, Founder and Creator of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!?, Stephen Hill, BET President of Programming, Connie Orlando, BET Senior Vice President of Specials, Music and News, and Jeannae Rouzan of Jesse Collins ENT.
This year?s honorees include ShondaLand producer and writer Shonda Rhimes (Shot Caller Award), R&B legend Gladys Knight (Living Legend Award), The Walking Dead actress and Eclipsed playwright Danai Gurira (Star Power Award),? award-winning actress and activist Amandla Stenberg (Young Gifted and Black Award), and Black Lives Matter founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi (Community Change Agent Award).
Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends, Black-ish) will serve as host.?
?I am so proud to once again host ?BLACK GIRLS ROCK!??! What an incredible night celebrating Black women in a show dedicated to Black Girl Magic.? Powerhouses Debra Lee, CEO and Chairman of BET Networks and Beverly Bond, CEO of ?Black Girls Rock! ?? are true examples of Black Girls who Rock. I’ve proudly hosted this show since before it was televised, and it’s been an honor to be connected to this show for so long. In its 10th year, this show is of utmost importance in today’s times as it highlights positive reinforcement and representation for young black women. I am looking forward to once again being a part of such a wonderful night celebrating the beauty, talents, and accomplishments of black women ? it will be a show to remember!? ? Tracee Ellis Ross
(CLICK HERE to read an article about BGR’s first-ever 2015 BLACK GIRLS LEAD conference at Barnard College.)
