Black Girls Rock Honors Jada Pinkett-Smith, Erykah Badu & Ava DuVernay Among Others
Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross host the Black Girls Rock Awards last night. Photo: Getty Images
You will be hard-pressed to find an awards show with more posi vibes than Black Girls Rock. The awards, started in 2011 by Black Girls Rock, a non-profit that empowers and mentors young women of color, honors women in categories like “Shot Caller,” “Living Legend,” and “Change Agent.” With a mix of famous people and “regular” women doing amazing things for their community, and hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King, the show is two hours of great music, humor, and of course, inspirational women.
Michelle Obama onstage during the Black Girls Rock Awards last night. Photo: Getty Images
Will Smith presented his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith with the “Star Power” award, and after a long onstage kiss, Pinkett-Smith delivered an impassioned speech that included a reference to the “Deadline” article which decried that there are now “too many minorities” on TV. The actress and businesswoman also gave a shoutout to her “little Afrofuturist” daughter Willow, who cheered her mom from the audience while wearing a bright pink lipstick. Also honored at the ceremony were Selma director Ava DuVernay, who shouted out previous female African-American filmmakers—including the poet Maya Angelou, musician Erykah Badu, and actress Cicely Tyson. Dr. Helene D. Gayle was awarded the “Social Humanitarian Award,” and Nadia Lopez, the principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brownsville New York, who first gained attention through a photograph from the “Humans of New York” website, was given the “Change Agent” award. Michelle Obama was also in attendance, and after an inspiring speech, she welcome three teenaged girls onstage who were being honored for their efforts in changing their community.
Erykah Badu accepting her award at Black Girls Rock. Photo: Getty Images
But the night wasn’t all serious speeches, with performances by Ciara, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, and Sheila E., there was plenty of excitement to fill an evening. One of the best moments of the night, came courtesy of the hosts, who appeared on stage in alter egos, Regina King as poet “Queen Floetic” and Tracee Ellis Ross as rapper “T-Murda,” whose rhymes about the women in attendance brought the audience to their feet.
The ceremony airs again tomorrow at 7pm on BET.
Director Ava DuVernay accepting her award at Black Girls Rock. Photo: Getty Images
Willow Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith at Black Girls Rock. Photo: Getty Images
Ciara at Black Girls Rock. Photo: Getty Images
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