SANCTI-FLY + POPPING BLACK GIRLS STAY ROCKING

September 2018

Purpose driven women killed division as black women and girls rocked in their courage to uplift discouraged women and girls all around the world with their black girl magic. If you missed it, pretty please watch how Black Girls Rocked from nation to nation in celebration for daily expectations they survive and thrive in as black women, girls and sistas. Yes, I said ‘sistas’ with my fist raised up high in solidarity. The strength of a Black Girl that Rocks won’t ever stop! Black Girls Rocked confidence that continues to put deep dents in hopelessness. The ladies hearts, muscles, and the black girl’s bones rocked strong in unity! There was no rolling of the eyes or seeing another sister winning and producing a fake sigh. At the 2018 Black Girl’s Rock Award Show, millions of Black Girls that Rock drank fierce and drank hope, in love. We abound to wear our crowns in grace and in magnificence; never remaining quiet but LOUD enough and brazen to tell our own stories and rock our praise in saporific ways. Black Girls Rock is not just a statement. It is where longevity meets a cyclopean of empowerment; imperative to black women and black girls to masticate on until equality reigns. 

Elegance, artistic expression and culture is just a portion of the black girl magic Judith Jamison epitomizes. She also gives some of it away so other young Black Girls can Rock in it. If you look at her life and follow her example you can do it too! She has rocked as a seasoned ballet dancer and choreographer; famously known for rocking as a prolific dancer for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Judith Ann Jamison is the Living Legend recipient for a Black Girl that Rocks. Judith Jamison wants you to know as a Black Girl that Rocks, to please remember that you wear a crown. “You do not get there by yourself.” Tune into BET.com to watch her full acceptance speech. This is why we rock! 

This is why we rock! Mary J. Blige was crowned with the Star Power Award! Although she has put in the hard work, I truly adored Mary J. Blige for all of the inspirational warfare that came out of her mouth. Mary hit us hard with the black wonder woman thunder. It's the number one reason why Black Girls that Rock continue to overcome! She has definitely been rocking her shine for many years; healing us with her therapeutic lyrics. “There is nothing that you can throw at a black woman that she cannot get through.” Mary J Blige 

Lena Waithe was presented with the Shot Caller Award. Lena Waithe has been in the background rocking all those black magic narratives on television shows like Moesha, The Cosby Show and A Different World to name a few. Ms. Lena worked her way up to the top. She can’t stop and she will not stop climbing as an activist, actress, writer, and as Black Girl that Rocks in her truth all the way from the South Side of the Chi. Her presence and gifts allows you to understand how there will be no stopping you! She is doing it and so can you. Lena wants you to get free. Stop letting other people hold you captive! 

This is why we rock! Janet gave us a boost of encouragement as she received the Rock Star Award. I liked how she gave honor to other Black Girls that Rock in her speech. We love Janet Jackson! She is such a Rock Star who wants you to continue doing and pursuing your goals and dreams; harder and stronger!  “Black Girls Rock! now more than ever and all I can say is girl, rock on.” Janet Jackson

This is why we rock! Mega Supermodel, Naomi Campbell was blessed with the Black Girl Magic Award. Her testimony allows other black girls to know how their gifts and talents can empower them and take them further than they can imagine if they continue to believe and strive for black excellence. "​Many people have tried to put us against each other but through unity we have overcome. We are not a trend. We are here to stay." Naomi Campbell 

This is why we rock! Community Change Agent, Tarana Burke wants you to know that as black women and girls, you deserve to feel safe and protected. Burke is the strategist who created the #metoo movement to combat support for women who have encountered sexual abuse in all forms. She is the perfect example of a Black Girl that Rocks who uses her voice as a platform to bring darkness to light; especially for black women and girls. "We have a long history of taking what we have to make what we need." Tarana Burke 

Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly and abundant things for the black queen in you, according to the power of all that black girl magic God birthed in you before the foundation of this world. Dr. Mareena Robinson Snowden is the apotheosis of a Black Girl Rocking that example. Dr. Mareena was presented with the Girls Rock! Tech Award. She is the first black woman who received her Doctor of Philosophy in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You and your girls can do the exact same thing. This is why we rock!

Naomi Walder, Amanda Gorman and Shanay Thompson are three young Black Girls that Rock! They are making a difference (M.A.D. GIRLS) with their living! They are trailblazing their way into great leadership; creating an everlasting gone girl magic that you and your daughters can emulate. At the tender age of eleven years old, Naomi Walder engaged herself as an activist against gun violence. She was the youngest speaker rocking all that black girl magic at the March for Our Lives rally. Amanda Gorman not only rocks her shine as a Harvard student. Gorman is making history as the very first Youth Poet Laureate for the United States. Shanay Thompson is a former model, philanthropist, scholar, and savvy entrepreneur. Shanay's thirst to mentor in her community led her to create her own non-profit organization which helps her fight against hunger. This is why we rock!

I am so thankful to Beverly Bond for giving Black Girls that Rock the royalty and glory of sharing our beautiful stories; giving us the power to have our moment and endure as we help to straighten our sistas crowns. I ain't never loved a show the way I love Black Girls Rock. Kudos to Queen Latifah for hosting the show. I love it every year! The tribute to Aretha Franklin was amazingly well done! I fell in love with a poet who is an artist by the name of Rapsody. Black Girls Rock!  Continue to use your magic and spread it everywhere. This is why we rock!

"We all know who got the juice my sistas…imitating us in all they Hollywood pictures!"Rapsody