Black Girls Rock! 2010 award
This year’s Black Girls Rock! award on BET has once again proven that African-American women in today’s media are not people that should be taken lightly.
Missy Elliott received a Visionary award for her ground-breaking expertise in hip-hop, Keke Palmer got a Who Got Next trophy for having made America fall in love with her singing and acting. And Raven Symone was awarded as Young, Gifted and Black due to her multi-talented personality that has been around since she was four. Teresa Clarke was called A Shot Caller for her inspiring work with South African people and Africa.com. Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant was awarded as Motivator for her sharing of the spiritual truth with others so that a better life would be possible, retired Major General Marcelite Harris was given the Trailblazer trophy for her outstanding leadership skills, and actress Ruby Dee was hailed as Living Legend for her continuing passion for theatre and film.
- Beverly Bond.
The Black Girls Rock! 2010 gala was finally broacasted on TV on Sunday night – November 7th via BET.
The actual thing was taped in mid-October, and was held at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx borough of New York City. Performers of the night included Keri Hilson, Shontelle and Monica. Three powerful R&B singers. Miss Keri Baby performed ‘Breaking Point’ – first TV performance of the single – and despite it flopped hardcore on the charts. Keri couldn’t have picked a more ‘perfect’ song for this gala. Shontelle forgot about her ‘perfect nightmare’ for a min as she chose to perform the stunning ballad ‘Impossible’. Meanwhile, R&B diva Monica impressed everybody with a perfect execution of her song ‘Still Standing’.
As she took the stage at the start of BET’s ‘Black Girls Rock!’ event, host Nia Long announced: “The golden rule for this evening is to believe in yourself fearlessly.” Her smile seemed to invite the audience to give it a try.
Anchored by stellar performances from Jill Scott, Keri Hilson, Ciara and other heavy hitters, the program’s 11 honorees — including Lifetime Achievement Award winner Missy Elliot — carried a message of empowerment. ‘Black Girls Rock!’ is a tribute devoted to honoring African-American ‘Icons, Moguls and Sheroes’ and will be televised for the first time on BET Sunday – November 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
An audience full of icons could make anyone feel intimidated, but Shontelle, who performed her hit single ‘Impossible,’ embraced the challenge. “Walking onto the stage, I was a nervous wreck,” – she admitted to MTV News. “[I was] in front of all these legends I look up to. I was so nervous at first, but then I realized everyone was singing along and it felt really great.”
‘Black Girls Rock!’ is supported by a diverse mix of talent. 2009 honorees included Janelle Monáe, Mary J. Blige and poet/activist Sonia Sanchez, but this year’s broadcast is poised to bring ‘Black Girls Rock!’ to a global audience — a dream come true for founder Beverly Bond.
“I want young black girls to know that they matter,” – the stylish Bond shared at a New York press screening of the awards on Tuesday. The celebrity DJ and former model founded the non-profit organization in 2006 to provide mentorship and programs to young black girls, including a DJ academy, college campus tours, a summer camp and poetry workshops.
“It’s up to us females to open doors for other females like the legends sitting here tonight,” – Raven-Symoné said while accepting the Young, Black & Gifted Award. The actress — ‘The Cosby Show’ vet was at 5 years old the youngest artist signed by RCA and has been producing since 18 — revealed that hearing ‘no’ during her career has never stopped her from achieving her dreams. “Stay true to yourself,” – she advised.