• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Fashion

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009

Every Black girl needs to know they rock and that’s exactly what happened at the 4th Annual Black Girls Rock Awards Show in NYC this past weekend. This star studded event was created to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers and are also positive role models in the community. Find out which celebs rocked home with awards at this empowering event. By Qianna Smith.
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Rock It Out!

Every Black girl needs to know they rock and that’s exactly what happened at the 4th Annual Black Girls Rock Awards Show in NYC on October 17. This star-studded event was created to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers and are also positive role models in the community. Find out which celebs went home with awards at this empowering event.

By Qianna Smith

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
02
Girlfriends

“Black girls rock and we love each other too,” says first-time host Tracee Ellis Ross to co-host Regina King as they hugged on stage. Creator of the event Beverly Bond (pictured center) gathered the most talented industry leaders and up-and-coming stars for the empowering awards show.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
03
Made Women

Hollywood heavy hitters Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah both took home top honors.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
04
Life Saver

Dr. Mehret Mandefro (second to left) is a recently appointed White House Fellow and The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Community Service Award recipient for her work in HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention. This activist is also the founder of TruthAIDS organization.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
05
Model Material

Supermodels aren’t born, they’re made. Brit beauty Naomi Campbell received The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Fashionista Award for her many firsts in the modeling industry including being the first Black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
06
Fashionista for Life

“I love my job in fashion. Next year I’ll be celebrating 25 years in this industry,” said Campbell as she accepted her award.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
07
Mix Master

DJs Cocoa Chanelle, Spinderella and Beverly Bond look beautiful in head-to-toe black. Spinderella took home The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Jazzy Joyce DJ Award. “When I first touched the turn tables 20 years ago, I never imagined that it would be so global,” said the famed DJ of Salt-N-Pepa.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
08
Phenomenal Women

Famed talent scout Bethann Hardison, left, and inspirational speaker, author, and TV personality Iyanla Vanzant look glam for the camera. Vanzant, who took home The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Shot Caller Award gushed, “When God gives you something to do, you just go out and do it. You don’t think about who’s looking.”

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
09
She’s Got It

“I’ve supported your mission long before it was created,” said breakout recording artist Janelle Monáe, who received The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Who’s Got Next Award. Queen Latifah gabbed that it’s young women like Monáe who you want to turn the game over to.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
10
Good News

Veteran journalist Jacque Reid presents Raven Symone with her award.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
11
Man On Board

Grammy-winning R&B singer Anthony Hamilton arrived with his son and took home the only award given to a man, The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Soul Brother #1. “This voice is very important. I love what I do,” said Hamilton.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
12
All Grown Up

“I believe in every colorful woman in the the world,” said trailblazer, entrepreneur and actress Raven-Symoné, who was given The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Young, Gifted, and Black Award.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
13
Speak the Truth

Kevin Powell (left to right), Dr. Sonia Sanchez, Beverly Bond, Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross are all smiles as Dr. Sanchez posed with her BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Living Legend Award. This award-winning poet, playwright and activist told the crowd, “You know what it means to be a Black woman poet, it means to bare your soul.”

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
14
Young, Gifted and Black

Young ladies perform on stage at Black Girls Rock! event.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
15
Bright Star

Canadian recording artist Melanie Fiona belted out a few tunes in between presenters. The budding musician opened for Kanye West’s European tour in 2008 and is enjoying the release of her debut album “The Bridge” this fall.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Emil Wilbekin
16
Stylista

Always dressed to impress, celebrity fashion stylist/author June Ambrose was shutting it down as usual.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
17
Got the Beat?

Beat boxer Doug E. Fresh and Jazzy Joyce oozed of high-power energy as they celebrated all the Black women who rock.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
18
Star Talent

Artist Janelle Monáe performed at the Black Girls Rock! Awards in New York City.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Emil Wilbekin
19
Make Some Noise for the Queen

Doug E. Fresh got the crowd live as he presented Oscar winner and CoverGirl beauty Queen Latifah with The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Rock Star Award. Jammin’ to oldies but goodies, he had everyone on their feet groovin’ to the beat.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Jennifer Cooper
20
Rap On

“Thank God for hip-hop because I would not have a place to express myself. I just want to say support your female rappers,” said Queen Latifah, pictured with the night’s hosts.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
21
The Designer and the Muse

Designer Catherine Malandrino presented her longtime friend Mary J. Blige with The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Icon Award. “When I was a little girl I never thought I could be anything, but I rock right now,” said Blige to tons of cheers and screams of the packed audience.

Black Girls Rock Awards Show 2009
Getty
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now