One of the most inspiring nights on television is returning: Black Girls Rock, which honors our melanated sisters who are making an impact on our communities and beyond, is headed to BET next month.
This year, the honorees include R&B singer Mary J. Blige, who will be honored with the Star Power Award; and iconic dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, who will receive the Living Legend Award. ESSENCE’s September issue cover star Naomi Campbell will be honored with the Black Girl Magic Award; while actress Lena Waithe will be awarded with the Shot Caller Award and Tarana Burke will take home the Community Change Agent Award, for her groundbreaking work in creating the Me Too Movement.
Black Girls Rock creator and founder Beverly Bond said in a statement that the awards show, set to be filmed Sunday inside the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Prudential Hall in Newark, New Jersey, said the evening will also honor the late Aretha Franklin with a star-studded tribute.
The Queen of Soul passed away last week at the age of 76.
“Each year I’m humbled to gather and celebrate Black women’s excellence, intelligence and savoir-faire. This year we are honoring women who are the Queens of their respective industries and celebrating the memory of our forever Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who left us with classics and an example of how to take on life with resilience and grace,” Bond said. “I am grateful to BET for helping to elevate the Black Girls Rock mission and for being our partners in exalting the royalty of Black women and girls.”
Along with these honorees, other Black women to take the stage as performers include H.E.R., Tamia, Yolanda Adams and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s Jacqueline Green
Ava DuVernay, Ciara, Misty Copeland, Naturi Naughton, Storm Reid and Niatia Kirkland will also appear as presenters.
Black Girls Rock returns to BET on September 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
