~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Black Girls Rock!

Last night, the 2nd-annual Black Girls Rock! awards aired on BET. Hosted by Tracie Ellis-Ross & Regina King (who I met last year), the night celebrated black women who have made a difference in the lives of other black women and the world.

Honorees included Angela Davis (who I met last year), Laurel J. Richie, Taraji P. Henson, Tatiyana Ali, and Shirley Caesar. Performances during the show included Erykah Badu, Melanie Fiona, Elle Varner performing "Give It To You" (one of my FAV songs right now),  Estelle, Mary Mary, and Mary J. Blige.

Angela Davis,  the political activist who I was honored to have met last year in Syracuse, was honored for her contribution to the fight for equality and prison reform. In her speech, she advised black women to make connections with each other and to stand up and work together.
Laurel J. Richie was honored as the 1st black woman president of the WNBA who has helped the league with branding and targeting women & girls. This was a special one for me, as the WNBA was a BIG part of my childhood and seeing women play basketball inspired and empowered me to play and it got me to college.

Taraji P. Henson (who I was honored to interview in 2009) was presented by LaLa Anthony. She has worked hard to make it in the movie industry as a single mother on her way to being an Oscar-nominated actress. In her speech, she said that black women must maintain love and respect for each other and that it's important that we support each other.

Sisterhood is very important...we don't have to be an afterthought!

Tatiyana Ali, who was a child star best known as Ashley from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was honored for her efforts in promoting education as an activist . She left the industry who left to get an education and is now a Harvard grad.

Other honorees included Imani Walker and Malika Saada Saar, incarcerated expectant mothers who were abused. 

Presented by Sheryl Lee Ralph & CeCe Winans, gospel legend Shirley Caesar was given the "Living Legend" award. In her speech, she said of black girls: 

My mama always said 'the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world'...As black women, we have  been challenged but our faith is strong!

~Elle Shanice~ NOTE: As someone who wants to inspire black teen girls, I commend Beverly Bond & the Black Girls Rock! organization for acknowledging celebrating black women, young & a little older.

Here is video of Jill Scott's POWERFUL spoken word performance: