Black Girls Rock! -- a name that just pops and crackles with girl power -- is holding its annual awards show in New York City this Saturday. Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross will co-host this star-studded event, which honors the outstanding achievements of baaaaaaaad women of color and raises funds for the nonprofit teen empowerment program founded by celebrity DJ Beverly Bond.
"I am proud that Black Girls Rock! is at the forefront of a movement inspiring women of color to take charge of our images, our dignity and our impact on the world," says Bond. "The annual Black Girls Rock! award show is our way of saying thank you to these stellar women, whose exemplary achievements help to navigate future generations toward excellence."
Now in its fourth year, Black Girls Rock! has raised hundred of thousands for Black Girls Rock Inc. BGR empowers young women ages 12-17 through the "fun" arts like DJing at the Scratch Academy, poetry workshops ("I Rhyme Like a Girl"), music making, culinary arts and so much more – all at little or no cost to the participants.
2008 Deaths
Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.
Ray Tamarra , Getty
Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.
AP
Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008
Reuters
Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.
Reuters
Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.
AP
Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.
Getty
George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Getty Images
Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.
Getty Images
Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.
Corbis
Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.
Corbis
For this year's fundraiser, BGR salutes powerhouse black girls such as Mary J. Blige ("Icon") Queen Latifah ("Rock Star"), Raven-Symoné ("Young Gifted and Black") and Naomi Campbell ("Fashionista"). Dr. Sonia Sanchez will be receiving the Living Legend award. The Community Service award will be given to TruthAIDS founder, activist and White House fellow Dr. Mehret Mandefro. Inspirational speaker, author, and television personality Iyanla Vanzant will be taking home the "Shot Caller" award.
Additional honorees include world-renowned DJ and media personality Spinderella, who will be receiving the "Jazzy Joyce DJ" award, and Grammy Award winner Anthony Hamilton, who will be receiving the only award given to a man, the "Soul Brother #1" award. Other participants include actress Kerry Washington, 2008 BGR award recipient Bethann Hardison, and philanthropists Danny Simmons and Jessica Seinfeld.
Ticket information for the annual gala can be found at http://www.blackgirlsrockinc.com/Awards09
Comments: (13)
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By: Patrice on 10/16/2009 8:01PM
My comments is that i am very happy that somone
is doing something for our world and also teach
our culture and for young girls and adults
to embrace our culture with diginity and pride
and also thank you for giving us this wonderful
message to us .
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By: "DimePiece" on 10/17/2009 10:27AM
It's nice to see black woman REPRESENT!
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By: Sirico Terez on 10/19/2009 9:56AM
I think that the name is racist regardless of what the cause is. Why couldnt it be all ethnicity girls rock. Noooo instead its limited to only Black girls. but we blame whites for being the racist. I bet the black community would have a whole lot to say if some white people came out with white girls rock. My comment is i find the title black girls rock to be very racist.!
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By: Black Girls Rock on 10/19/2009 10:14AM
Get over it shut the h*ll up. Black Girls Rock!!
Black Girls
The Dominant Gene - Can create all Exotic Skin Tones, with having to go to another race.
Blessed with the best body parts - Huge Butts,fulll Lips,Curves in all the right paces, Exotic Skin Tones., Exotic Features, Most of them have huge breast.
This is why - BLACK GIRLS ROCK - GET OVER IT..
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By: girlking on 10/19/2009 1:12PM
It's not about white girls. It's about Black Girls and giving them something that is just for them.
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By: Janet Leland on 10/19/2009 3:11PM
I agree with you to an extent. This group is representing and promoting its own which is good, however it excludes others. Is it necessary that the others are included? No. But as a group that knows what it is like to be excluded and to have groups labeled as white only, I think that "Black' could be left out of it. However,on the other hand, I think that because it is a cultural organization that a reference to the group needs to be aknowledged.
As an African American woman, I think this would be a great opportunity to strenghten all women by removing the word Black. White women are deserving of these honors as well because we, women of all colors, have been discriminated against and are still being discriminated against in a male dominated world. This could be a very unifying organization for all women. Hopefully in the future it will be expanded to honor the progression of all and I must say women in general are all doing it. Even those born in priviledge didn't always have the right to be what they wanted and today that has changed for all. We need a grand celebration each year for all of us collectively. Maybe, I am a dreamer, but just a thought.
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By: Charles on 10/19/2009 3:18PM
White folks exclude Blacks everyday from powerful things they just don't put white in front of it. Black Girls Rock!!!!!!!My mom, my sisters, my cousins etc!!!!!!
Get a LIFE!!
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By: Sus7637 on 10/19/2009 4:05PM
Ay Sirico you jealous. Whats it to you anyway? and why are you even in a black forum with your stupid questions thats relevant to only blk woman. Just like PR'S are all for their own and nobody else, well dig this Sirico, this isn't about you or other races. its about us an dyeah we rock like a mofo! we got style, voice, culture, groove, color, butt, fat ass lips, etc. its about enpowermenting more and more blk girls to love who they are and to stand proud, and be proud. to take notice of how everybody wanna be us in everything we as blks do. to take notice in how where ever we as blk go, here everybody else wanna follow us around and see what were doing, what were talking about etc.
So Sirico take your flag with you and stay out of blk voices along with other non blks comming in here poppin their jealousy. if you dont like it and can't deal with it, which you have no say over something pertaining to blks,stay away from here! its that simple.
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By: takkitchen on 10/19/2009 6:05PM
I disagree with you completely, Is BLACK HISTORY month racist NO I DNT THINK SO!!!!! so what's your issue with black women getting up lifted check your self PLEASE DNT HATE!!!!!
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By: takkitchen on 10/19/2009 6:03PM
what is your problem with black women getting up lifted in a celebration that represents my culture. is BLACK HISTORY MONTH racist no I dnt think so just like any other ethnic group honoring their culture. So please dnt hate!!!!!!!
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