“Black Girls Rock!™ 2011” to Honor Angela Davis, Shirley Caesar, Taraji P. Henson, Laurel J. Richie, Imani Walker, Malika Saada Saar, and Tatyana Ali | on BET – Nov. 6th, 2011

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Supermodel Alek Wek, reality star La La Anthony, and actresses Tichina Arnold and Sharon Leal will join previously announced co-hosts, Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King, as presenters for the second annual televised “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011” special.  Dedicated to honoring exceptional women of color around the world who stand as inspirational and positive role models, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011” adds Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Melanie Fiona, Mary Mary, Elle Varner and Shirley Caesar as performers to help BET Networks and Beverly Bond, Founder and CEO of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™, celebrate the achievements of this year’s exceptional honorees.  “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011”  tapes October 15, 2011 at the historic Paradise Theater Bronx, NY and will make its network premiere on Sunday, November 6 at 8:00 P.M.*

The two-hour event will be a star-studded evening celebrating the strengths, triumphs and talents of Black women.  This year’s much-deserving celebrants and award recipients include: Academy Award-nominee Taraji P. Henson – Star Power Award; political activist, scholar, and author Angela Davis – Icon Award; gospel singer Shirley Caesar – Living Legend Award; actress and singer Tatyana Ali – Young, Black & Gifted Award; President of WNBA and former Girl Scouts USA executive Laurel J. Richie – Shot Caller Award; and The Rebecca Project for Human Rights co-founders Imani Walker and Malika Saada Saar – Trailblazer Awards.

The televised special, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011” is a BET Networks and B.G.R. Enterprises Inc. production.  BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Founder and CEO, Beverly Bond executive produces the telecast along with Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks and Connie Orlando, Eugene Caldwell, Salli Frattini, BET Networks.

*All times ET/PT

About BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™

Founded by celebrity DJ and Philanthropist, Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is dedicated to promoting positive images of women of color in mass media.  BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls since 2006.  BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc. seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of young women of color by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons and helping them to empower themselves. For additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™, visit www.blackgirlsrock.org.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA., is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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CONTACTS:
Marcy Polanco, BET
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Simone Smalls, Simone Smalls PR, Inc.
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Michelle Huff, HUFF Events & PR
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Charlie Guadano, Simone Smalls PR, Inc.
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