Its one of the most magical, melanin events of the year. BET’s Black Girls Rock Awards is an annual ceremony that celebrates just that- black girls-black women and their contributions and trailblazers to their respective fields of work and American culture as a whole.   Created by Beverly Bond in 2006,  the awards show is in its 9th year and its promising to be the best one year.

This year’s honorees are:

 

 

Issa Rae

a.k.a ‘The Awkaward Black Girl’. The author and creator and star of HBO’s “Insecure”. Her story is a true testimony on how your passion can open the doors to your blessings. Rae will be awarded the Star Power Award.

 

 

 

 

 

Yara Shahidi

The black-ish” actress is an advocate and incoming freshmen at Harvard University . In recent years, Shahidi has taken an empowering platform for young women of color, promoting self-love and high self-esteem. Her social media accounts are daily affirmations  young girls of their worth and beauty. She will be awarded the Young Gifted and Black Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roberta Flack

The legendary singer is known for timeless hits such as The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, The Closer I Get to You, Tonight I Celebrate My Love and Killing Me Softly With His Song ( nope this Royal Woman did it first, not Lauryn Hill ). She will be awarded the Living Legend Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne Shank

This most successful woman on Wall Street. This Royal Woman is the co-founder and stakeholder of the  trillion-dollar municipal finance firm, Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., L.L.C. Since founding the company in 2006, Shank’s firm has more than $1.1 trillion of corporate bond and $1.4 trillion of municipal bonds. Shanks will receive  the well-deserved Shot Caller Award. To learn more about Shank click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derrica Wilson and Natalie Wilson

The founders  and CEOs of The Black & Missing Foundation, together, the sisters raise awareness about the missing brown and black faces that are often overlooked in the media. They will be given the Community Change Agent Award. To learn more about BAM  click here

 

 

 

Taraji P. Henson

Will be hosting the ceremony. The awards show will be taped on August 5th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and air on August 20th on BET.  And #blackgirlsrock is more than a hashtag. To learn more about the non-profit click here