August 5, 2017, Newark, NJ — Our World Media was in attendance for the, 2017 Black Girls Rock Awards Red Carpet. This year as previous years the awards brought together a host of beautiful, inspiring and powerful women like Taraji P. Henson, Roberta Flack, Suzanne Shank, Yara Shahidi, Maxine Waters, Natalie and Derrica Wilson and Issa Rae to name a few. From the Red Carpet alone you can tell that this year’s awards will be one for the record books.
Created in 2006 by the fabulous Beverly Bond to celebrate, inspire and uplift Black Women who are at the forefront of their fields and contribute to the empowerment and elevation of others. The awards ceremony highlights the most often overlooked fact that Black Women have been and are an integral part of this world. Black Women have contributed a great deal to many of the achievements and advancements we as a world benefit from today. Black Girls Rock as a whole is at the forefront leading a movement to change the negative views and stereotypes many have of Black Women. It also seeks to instill pride and strength in Black Women and Black Girls, who due to years of negative media, the systematic destruction of Black families and under valuation by the world, and especially their male counterparts have left many Black Women and Black Girls devoid of self-worth and self-esteem.
Before organizations like Black Girls Rock, a lot of opportunities for Black Women and Black Girls were hidden and unknown and nonexistent. Now due to the hard work of these organizations Black Women and Young Black Girls are receiving the recognition they deserve, are being exposed to a variety of opportunities only afforded men at one time, and are rebuilding positive self-image and a strong sense of awareness.
Although great strides have been made there is still a long way to go. Thank you, Black Girls Rock for contributing to the advancement of Black Women and Black Girls, for empowering them, for helping them to see the potential some of them didn’t see before!
Check out some of the shots from the Red Carpet below, and for information on Black Girls Rock click here.
