Sunday night, BET aired the first annual awards show celebrating and commemorating black women and girls around the world, reminding us that Black Girls Rock!
Black Girls Rock is first and foremost a non-profit organization, started in 2006 by Beverly Bond. It started off as an idea for a line of T-shirts, but Bond said it was a concept that needed to be expanded into something greater. The organization works to increase self-esteem and self-worth among African American girls ages 12-17 through volunteering, creative arts, and mentorship.
Nia Long
The broadcast used celebrities as examples of how Black girls can rock, but also celebrated M.A.D girls: girls who Made A Difference in their communities, like Amiya Alexander who owns her own traveling dance studio at age 11.
Nia Long was the elegant host, and the band playing for acts like Jill Scott, Ledisi, Monica, Keisha Cole, Marsha Ambrosius, was ALL female: the horn section, the drums, the base – EVERYTHING! Those black girls truly rocked!
Take a look at the fabulous ladies honored:
Shot Caller: Teresa Clarke
Chairman and CEO of Africa.com, changing the way the world see the continent of Africa.
Living Legend: Ruby Dee
Civil Rights activist, actress, writer, producer, and Emmy Award winner during a time when African Americans were rare in Hollywood.
Motivator: Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant
reverend and motivational speaker.
Young, Gifted, and Black: Raven-Symoné
entrepreneur, TV producer, singer, and actor all before age 25.
Visionary: Missy Elliot
rapper & music producer topping charts in a male-dominated industry.
Trailblazer: Major General Marcelite J. Harris
highest ranking female in the U.S. Air Force of any ethnicity.
Who’s Got Next: Keke Palmer
actress & singer taking the world by storm at age 17.
Black girls also rock because of their hair! Check out the different hairstyles present at the show. We have special love for the girls rocking their own texture!
Award winner Raven Symoné with loose pin curls.
Award winner Iyanla Vanzant, sporting a TWA, looks like she loves her big chop!
We’re loving British songstress Marsha Ambrosius rocking her natural texture!
Ledisi sporting an updo made with her beautiful red locs!
Keri Hilson and her new do’. Do you like the blonde?
Keisha Cole and wearing fiery red loose curls in an up do!
Jill Scott ROCKED her hair out in a funky faux-hawk spiked do’!
Former 106 and Park host Free fierce as always with her natural afro!
To get involved or donate to the non-profit organization, visit the website.
What was your favorite part of the show?
