The Black Girls Rock! Awards are returning to TV this year after five years, now airing on Lifetime instead of BET. Since 2006, Black Girls Rock! Inc., started by DJ Beverly Bond, has honoured inspiring young women and empowered Black girls. This event celebrates amazing achievements and the strong spirit of Black women, with famous guests like Michelle Obama and Rihanna.
The 2024 Awards will be a big celebration of excellence and empowerment, with many exciting events happening in Atlanta. With honorees including Rihanna and Shonda Rhimes, here are some of the Black Girls Rock famous moments from the previous years.
Tracee Ellis Ross Rocks the Stage with Black Girl Anthem Medley as Three-Time Host
The Black-ish star opened the 2016 show with a tribute to black girl magic, performing songs like Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” Janet Jackson’s “Control,” and Rihanna’s “Work.” Tracee Ellis Ross embraced each pop culture moment with wig changes and all. She highlighted that “versatility” is a key part of being a black girl, earning loud applause from the audience. Rihanna’s reaction to Tracee’s performance of “Work” was so great that it became a popular GIF.
Advertisement Mommy-to-Be Tatyana Ali Honors Amandla Stenberg with Young, Gifted, and Black Award
Former Fresh Prince actress Tatyana Ali, wearing a stunning blue dress and showing off her baby bump, presented the Young, Gifted, and Black Award to Amandla Stenberg. The young actress and activist from The Hunger Games accepted the award with grace and wisdom. She said, “I used to feel too big and too bold, but I realized my blackness makes me beautiful and intelligent.”
Beverly Bond’s Empowering Speech
In 2016, Black Girls Rock founder Beverly Bond gave a powerful speech about the event’s importance, addressing issues like cultural appropriation and black girl magic.
“I started Black Girls Rock because I love and believe in us,” she said.
She ended her speech with a strong message to young black girls everywhere, saying, “I want us to be free. To all the black girls worldwide—own your magic.”
Hillary Clinton Declares: ‘Black Girls Rock!
In 2016, after Jazmine Sullivan gave a perfect performance of “Mona Lisa,” Hillary Clinton took the stage. She received a standing ovation and excited cheers, declaring, “The entire world knows what you know, and that is, black girls rock!” Clinton addressed the Flint water crisis and shared how strong leaders like Michelle Obama and Dr. Maya Angelou influenced her life. She encouraged the audience to vote and introduced Black Girls Rock! Founder Beverly Bond. Bond thanked everyone for supporting her vision to empower young women for the past 10 years. Her speech was inspiring, reminding young girls of the challenges ahead.
“We are told our black is not beautiful, but others copy our features,” she said. “I started Black Girls Rock! Because I love us and believe in us.”
Debbie Allen Honors Shonda Rhimes with Shot Caller Award
BGR celebrated Shonda Rhimes, the primetime queen, for her many awards and groundbreaking achievements as a woman of color. Rhimes accepted the honor and praised Debbie Allen as “the creator of black girl magic.” She talked about her 11-year-old daughter, Harper, who was at the ceremony with her, and urged young women to create their own paths.
“Don’t look up to us,” she said. “Put us in your rearview mirror. Achieve things beyond your wildest dreams. Change the world, and then change it again.”
Rihanna Took Home the Rock Star Award
Fashion icon Bethann Hardison presented Rihanna with the Rock Star Award in 2016. As Rihanna and the audience watched a video showing moments from her life, including time with her grandma, Gran Dolly, she became emotional.
“This is an important moment for me because I’m black,” Rihanna said. “They don’t always call me a role model, but tonight, it’s important to me. I know I inspire girls to be themselves, and that’s a big part of the battle.”
Impactful Acceptance Speeches That Moved the Audience
Also check: How To Watch Elizabeth Taylor The Lost Tapes
In 2016, Amandla Stenberg, Danai Gurira, Rihanna, Gladys Knight, Shonda Rhimes, and #BlackLivesMatter founders Garza, Tometi, and Cullors each received special awards. It was tough to pick just one standout moment because every speech was amazing. Here are some of the best quotes:
- Gurira: “I’m so grateful to be a black woman. I would be so jealous if I were anything else.”
- Rhimes: “Change the world. And when you’ve done that, change it again.”
- Stenberg: “I do not thrive despite my blackness … It is the reason why I am beautiful and intelligent. And you cannot stop me.”
- Knight: “I am so grateful for the best prize I could have ever won.”
- Garza: “We who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.”
- Rihanna: “The minute you learn to love yourself, you won’t want to be anyone else.”
Conclusion
Looking back at the Black Girls Rock events, we can see why they became unforgettable. From amazing performances to inspiring speeches, the night was filled with Black Girls Rock famous moments that celebrated talent and empowerment. These highlights remind us of the powerful impact and joy that Black Girls Rock brings annually.
If you want to watch more shows other than Black Girls Rock on Lifetime, you can check out our guides on Abducted off the Street, I Wasn’t Expecting A Baby!, A Mother’s Intuition, Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up, The Bad Guardian, and many more.