On Friday, BET and Beverly Bond announced this year’s BLACK GIRLS ROCK! honorees. The celebrants include actress/singer/writer/social activist Amandla Stenberg receiving the Young, Gifted and Black Award, Eclipsed playwright and The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira receiving the Star Power Award, “The Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight receiving the Living Legend Award, ABC’s go-to hitmaker and producer Shonda Rhimes receiving the Shot Caller Award and Black Lives Matter founders Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi being awarded the Community Change Agent Award. Rihanna will also be honored, receiving the Rock Star Award. This year’s host is long time BLACK GIRLS ROCK! advocate and black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross.
“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,” said Ross, “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!”
Since founding BLACK GIRLS ROCK! in 2006, Beverly Bond has made it her anointed commission to celebrate and coronate phenomenal Black women across diverse fields. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! gives Black women a platform to motivate young Black girls to dream the most impossible dreams and force them into an extraordinary reality.
“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 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.”
Beverly Bond will once again team up with BET to broadcast BLACK GIRLS ROCK! on Tuesday, April 5 at 8 p.m. on BET.
