Beverly Bond: ‘Black Girls Rock!’ is more than a slogan
If you are looking for an empowering event, honoring the strength and talents of black women, look no further. Black Girls Rock! is celebrating phenomenal women of color with a televised awards show on BET and Centric.
This year’s show honors some of the world’s greatest black women including Angela Davis, Shirley Caesar, Taraji P. Henson, Tatyana Ali and more. The all-female ensemble of performers includes Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Melanie Fiona, Mary Mary, Elle Varner and Shirley Caesar.
In an interview with theGrio, Black Girls Rock! founder, Beverly Bond shared how she started the organization, her hopes for the future and why she feels black girls rock.
The Black Girls Rock! awards show will aired on BET Sunday, November 6 at 8 p.m. ET. Check your local listings to catch the show when it re-airs!
theGrio: How did Black Girls Rock! get started?
Beverly Bond: In 2006, I thought that the phrase “Black Girls Rock!” would make an incredible slogan on a t-shirt, but as I explored the idea I realized that this slogan is bigger than a t-shirt. Black Girls Rock! is an affirmation that our mothers and grandmothers never heard, but that our young woman need to hear today.
I realized that I needed to do a mentoring program for young girls because I saw that many of the messages in music videos and images in media were not telling them that they were special and that they were important.
The awards show put a spotlight on our black female heroes. A lot of our women throughout time have not been recognized for the contributions that they have made to our culture.
Since starting Black Girls Rock! In 2006, I have never looked back.
What are some of the obstacles that your organization has faced?
In the beginning, one of the main obstacles was trying to get funds and spreading the word about what we were doing. I was fortunate to already be a celebrity DJ, so when media outlets would interview me I would just turn the attention onto Black Girls Rock!
Back when we started, it was difficult getting people in the music industry to stand up for the images of women. At that point it was a little taboo, when in actuality it wasn’t taboo. We needed to find a way to empower our women. A lot of people were afraid to tackle the issue, but it didn’t stop me and I am still focused on our original goals.
Read the rest of the interview with Beverly Bond on theGrio.com.
