Home

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Ode to Joy: Black Girls Rock!



Like most kids, television was a huge part of my childhood. Growing up I would get lost in television as a way to escape my reality and imagine other possibilities in life. It was important to see people who looked like me.  To have that connection between myself and the faces on TV provided hope that I could be more than what  I saw in  my daily environment. I wanted to be one of the Huxtables on ‘The Cosby Show’, not an actor, but actually one of their kids. Then I wanted to be a gymnast like Olympic Gold medalist Dominique Dawes. And the moment I heard the pitch perfect harmonies and saw the form fitting sequined dresses, black gloves and and red lipstick, I knew I wanted to be a member of En Vogue. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was inspired by the people I saw on television. Those inspirations to my young mind impacted the way I saw myself, and what I believed was possible for my future. 


I recently stumbled upon a righteous TV program that stirred up feelings I have not felt since I was seven years old, The 7TH Annual Black Girls Rock! award show on BET.  The show spawned from the organization ‘Black Girls Rock! Black Girls Rock! Inc.’. It was started in 2006 by former model and DJ Beverly Bond. She wanted a way to empower and mentor young girls through the arts, poetry, theater and cooperative learning. The organization introduces the idea to girls age 12 – 17, that each one of them has a purpose, and encourages them to find that purpose. Bond, a former DJ on BET’s Rap City, partnered with the network to bring this movement to a broader audience.

Singer Janelle Monáe won the
Young Gifted and Black Award


Black Girls Rock! celebrates black women from different countries and industries who are fulfilling their life purpose right before our eyes. It reveals the inner strength; compassion; and motivation behind their success, talent, and determination.  Honorees included Kerry Washington, award winning actor and former Harlem substitute teacher, whose Star Power has made her the first black female lead actor on a major network in 38 years. Also honored was the young, gifted, and beautiful Janelle Monáe, whose commitment to her true self transformed this former house maid into the Cover Girl she was born to be. In her acceptance speech, the singer shared a powerful story of how the black and white suit she wears is her uniform. It never lets her forget where she came from and reminds her of the work that still needs to be done.

The award show also highlights girls who are M.A.D (Making A Difference). It features young black girls who rock the community with achievements that go unnoticed in the nightly news. Like Yasmine Arrington, whose only living parent was in jail as she applied for college scholarships. Though she found a way to pay for school, the experience caused her to consider other students in her position, who may not have the resources and support she did.  Arrington started ScholarCHIPS, a non-profit program designed to help students with incarcerated parents pay for college. She has raised over $10,000 and counting.

Kerry Washington won the
Star Power Award
So why is this must see TV? Because the images shown on television help shape the minds of tomorrow.  The beauty of Black Girls Rock! is that it challenges the common image of black women. This generation has viral videos, reality shows, music videos, television shows, and films that perpetuate an insignificant, or exaggerated and often negative stereotype of black women. I cringe when I think of the message it sends to people of all races, especially those who have no interracial relations to compare it to. Or the message it sends to that young black girl who has yet to identify who she is. Black Girls Rock! shows the world different shades of: positive, hard working, intelligent, educated, talented, beautiful, self-assured black women who are inspiring the possibilities of tomorrow, today.

As for me, I found myself watching Black Girls Rock! totally inspired to be a black girl who rocks!!!. A sense of possibility does wonders for the soul. I couldn't help but think back to that little girl who practiced her dance moves in case the singing career fell through (the back-up plan was to become a Fly Girl). Though her goals have changed, she has not stop dreaming. Inspirations from long ago still motivate her to define and fulfill her destiny. While they say she was too tall for gymnastics, the former dancer moved to New York City with a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School. She now lives in Brooklyn, the borough in which the Huxtables once lived - where she is pursuing the passions that will lead to her next career. She also sings tons of karaoke to keep her voice active, who knows when En Vogue may need a back-up member on the reunion tour. You just never know when anything is possible.


2012 Honorees
Kerry Washington – Star Power
Dionne Warwick – Living Legend
Alicia Keys – Rock Star
Susan Taylor - Inspiration
Dr: Hawa Abdi and her daughters – Social Humanitarian
Janelle Monae – Young, Gifted, and Black




M.A.D Girls (Making A Difference)
Glennita Williams – Created America’s Guardian Angels – which sends care packages to US troops around the world.
http://www.americasguardianangels.org/index.html

Tiffany Bender and Alize Beal – founders of Young Harlem, a group which finds positive outlets for inner city youth in Harlem and the Bronx.

Yasmine Arrington  - Started ScholarCHIPS a college scholarship fund for kids with an incarcerated parent.