The July Issue // Features // CELEBS THAT CARE/Black Girls Rock!
Evening's Hosts: Tracee Eliis Ross and Regina King
Tracee You know her from the one-time hit series Girlfriends but more recently, she starred in the movie Labor Pains with Lindsay Lohan. Of course, she's also the daughter of collar popper extraordinaire, Diana Ross. Regina last played as a no-joke cop on the NBC series Southland (cancelled). But she can play anything. Remember her in Ray, Friday, and Jerry Maguire?
photography Terrence Jennings
Who Got Next Award: Janelle Monáe
Refreshing talent, singer/songwriter Janelle Monae is so good, she makes Mary J. Blige proud she got next. Ironically, she's signed to Bad Boy/Atlantic, the successor to Mary's Uptown label.
Photographer Terrence Jennings
Jazzy Joyce DJ Award: Spinderella
Carrying the torch for two turntables, Spinderella was the DJ for top-selling, legendary female hiphop group, Salt-n-Pepa.
Young, Gifted and Black Award: Raven-Symoné
From The Cosby Show to her own That’s So Raven, at 23, she is an accomplished actor, singer, producer and phenomenal business woman.
photographer Johnnie Nunez/Getty Images
Living Legend Award:
Dr. Sonia Sanchez
Sonia Sanchez turned 75 this year. A renowned poet, author, playwright, activist and educator, her passionate artistry continues to help black women shape identity and perspective.
photographer Johnnie Nunez/Getty Images
Community Service Award:
Dr. Mehret Mandefro
An Ethiopian-American doctor of medicine, she teaches public health through sharing the oral histories of her patients. President Obama recently appointed her a White House Fellow.
photographer Terrence Jennings
Rock Star Award: Queen Latifah
You know her name. She's a rapper, a singer, an actor, a CEO, a film producer and a spokesmodel for Cover Girl with her own line of makeup. Queen La is not just the star of the stage. She rocks life.
Icon Award: Mary J. Blige
Mary J. inspires women to over come the odds. From the projects to Icon status. She's won six Grammys in 15 years!
photographer Johnnie Nunez/Getty Images
Soul Brother #1 Award:
Anthony Hamilton
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Anthony Hamiliton brings back one of the most important qualities of a powerful R&B artist—the ability to stir souls.
photographer Terrence Jennings
Fashionista Award: Naomi Campbell
Working as a professional model for nearly 25 years, her worldwide recognition has given her a platform to speak out against the injustices models of color still face in the fashion industry.
photographer Terrence Jennings
Shot Caller Award: Iyanla Vanzant
On top of being a bonafied spiritual leader for many Black women, Iyanla is a lecturer and best-selling author…with a law degree. She's seated here with last year's "Living Legend" honoree, Bethann Hardison.
photographer Johnnie Nunez/Getty Images
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oh yeah Black girls do rock , that very true where ma black girls at, come on yall and keep it going
Black is BEAUTIFUL, I love myself.....
true that...black girls do rock.I am so glad and fortunate that im black....black is the way to go bay bay.........PROUDLY BLACK
Yes, black girls are pretty much amazing ;)
lolz me again i kno ..but i would like to say something else ..african american /black women are sooooooooooooo beautiful ..and i know this becase i am african amelrican and i have seen my ppl fight soooo hard to get we ... morelolz me again i kno ..but i would like to say something else ..african american /black women are sooooooooooooo beautiful ..and i know this becase i am african amelrican and i have seen my ppl fight soooo hard to get were we are today. even being that my ppl are from lousiana and europe,i am a creole teen and that follows under the catergorie of :Afro.amer./black So, i am proud of my PPL!!! GEAUX l'Afrique Americain Femmes Pour Nours rock!!!
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YEA SHA'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we do rock annnnnnnnnnnnd ROLL!! CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!!!! i love my ppl and i think we are the mooooooosssttttttttttttttttttt esqusite race there are!!
Also, men as well..... Wyclef..... Great!!!
It is great to see Beautiful African American women being celebrated for their outstanding achievements..... I am excited and celebrate all of them during this... thanks for sharing especially DJ Bond. Irvina M.
These celebs rock indeed, wow they are wonderful and hard working. I love them all and more grease to their elbows.
They are great woman esp Mjb && QL but you can forget Beyonce Knowles!! She is an amazing woman and is Very inspiring being a singer, a actress and has her own perfume line. as well as being a 6 time grammy award ... she ... moreThey are great woman esp Mjb && QL but you can forget Beyonce Knowles!!
She is an amazing woman and is Very inspiring being a singer, a actress and has her own perfume line. as well as being a 6 time grammy award ... she truely is stunnning!! x
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Awe! another wonderful thing!!! I really wish i could volunteer here! maybe in the future. I shall look further into this (as i've done w/ the many things Tyra and her team have brought to our attention by posting them h ... moreAwe! another wonderful thing!!! I really wish i could volunteer here! maybe in the future. I shall look further into this (as i've done w/ the many things Tyra and her team have brought to our attention by posting them here on her site) way to go, guys!
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Young, Gifted and Black...and exposed to a WORLD of possibilities - We can do even better than these phenomenal figures have done and are currently doing. This is beautiful - it all begins with one hand and the rest will ... moreYoung, Gifted and Black...and exposed to a WORLD of possibilities - We can do even better than these phenomenal figures have done and are currently doing. This is beautiful - it all begins with one hand and the rest will follow :)
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Awesome........I luv it
Tyra my family and I want to see RAVEN ON YOUR SHOW celebrate her !!!!!!!!!!
I loving being a black strong woman of god!!!!!
-Its soo cool to see people B.I.O. today making a difference; As a young black girl, its gives me so much inspiration and motivation to make a difference too!♥ ;
Aww i want that hoodie
I love it....keep spreadin the message!
Queen Latifah Rocks <3<3<3 You rock it too Tyra, Love ya<3
-so agree. black girls do rock, however so does every ethnicity- -this non profit org is pretty dope. bigg ups to bev for doin it-