Get ready for an exciting night filled with beautiful, powerful and talented women! “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” airs on BET Networks Sunday, November 3rd at 7pm*. For the third year in a row, Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King hosted the annual awards show. The dynamic duo wowed the audience with their grace, charm, crazy sense of humor and stunning fashion. But, as always, the night belonged to the inspirational celebrants and amazing performers who were remarkable reminders of how much black girls do indeed rock!
This year the “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” Awards took place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in downtown Newark. Jersey girl and celebrant Queen Latifah (Rock Star Award), received much love from her hometown audience. President and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, celebrant Marian Wright Edelman (Social Humanitarian Award) shared the stage with Head Start alum and fellow honoree Ameena Matthews (Community Activist Award). Mariah Carey presented the iconic Patti LaBelle with a Living Legend Award. LaBelle’s awesome vocal range and dynamic showmanship brought the crowd to their feet as she performed “You Are My Friend,” with the American Ballet Theatre’s sensational soloist Misty Copeland.
The ageless beauties from the cast of “Girlfriends,” Jill Marie Jones, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Tracee Ellis Ross,reunited to pay tribute to show creator and Shot Caller Award recipient Mara Brock Akil. Tennis trailblazer and entrepreneurVenus Williams (Star Power Award celebrated by Chevy) received her award from Skylar Diggins and past honoree Keke Palmer presented ground-breaking ballet dancer Misty Copeland with this year’s Young, Gifted & Black Award. Each celebrant took to the stage and delivered spirited acceptance speeches that affirmed the importance of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! movement.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ founder, creator and executive producer Beverly Bond was welcomed with a standing ovation as she shared the mission of the organization and encouraged everyone to invest time, talent and resources in their respective community. Then, the always popular “Making a Difference” a.k.a. “M.A.D. GIRLS,” Brooklyn Wright, Mary Pat Hector andTy-Licia Hooker, were introduced by Tatyana Ali. The young change agents were a reminder there is not an age requirement for community action and social responsibility.
The night also featured electrifying performances by Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monae, Ledisi, Sevyn Streeter,Eve, Misty Copeland, Amber Riley and Alice Smith backed by the “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” All-Star Band led by Kim Burse.
All and all it’s an amazing, not-to-be-missed day of television where black women and girls of all shades and from all walks of life are celebrated beginning with Beverly Bond’s appearance on “T.D. JAKES PRESENTS: MIND, BODY & SOUL” onSunday, November 3 at 2pm.* “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” will premiere on BET Networks on at 7pm* followed by an encore of the critically acclaimed movie “BEING MARY JANE” created and executive produced by Mara Brock Akil which airs at 9pm.* “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” 2013 will air on Tuesday, November 5th at 8:00PM GMT on BET’s international network in the UK andAfrica, reaching more than 17 million households in 50+ countries. Official sponsors of “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” 2013 include Procter & Gamble, COVERGIRL and Chevrolet.
For updates on more information on “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!” visit the official page at http://www.BET.com/blackgirlsrock. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET’s multiple social media platforms: – On Twitter by using hashtag: #BlackGirlsRock; follow us @BET – On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/BET – On Instagram @betnetworks.
