“I rock because no one gets in my way to get things done in

order to succeed…Black Girls Rock!” said Soijett Blue, sophomore

biology student. Black Girls Rock is not just an event but also a

movement started by Beverly Bond.

“I rock because no one gets in my way to get things done in order to succeed…Black Girls Rock!” said Soijett Blue, sophomore biology student. Black Girls Rock is not just an event but also a movement started by Beverly Bond.

Miss Junior, Michele Delagdo, and Miss Ladies of Excellence, Hannah Jefferies, hosted a panel discussion and viewing of the show “Black Girls Rock” on Nov. 6 in Stallings Ballroom.

The mission of Black Girls Rock is to prevail the negative bias toward young black females and find ways to achieve a powerful generation that runs the world…GIRLS!

When ladies entered, they were free to grab BET promotions including buttons, bookmarks, wristbands, door hangers and posters. Starting the program at 7 p.m, Delgado and Jefferies introduced a panel of women that represented some of the many organizations on campus. The ladies were Jasmine Gurley, Miss. N.C.A&T State University; Courtney Young, Miss. Sophomore; Canisha Turner, Miss. Alpha Lambda Delta; Te’Ana Mason, Miss. Metro Aggies; and Carla Saunders, Miss N.C. A&T State University 2010-2011.

When Gurley was asked about one of her insecurities, she discussed how she wanted to have a darker complexion and took necessary steps to do so. She finally realized that her color was beautiful and that she needed to have confidence in herself.

The ladies on the panel emphasized that all girls are beautiful inside and out.

The influence of “Teen Mom” was also discussed. Young explained that she initially viewed the show as positive because it showed teens the struggles of motherhood, but soon became negative due to the fame the characters wanted to gain.

BET marketing representative Jade Harrison brought the concept of the event to Delgado. “She wanted to gain exposure for the show, so I thought it would be great to get involved with another campus queen,” said Delgado. “Since Ladies of Excellence was a women-based organization, I thought it would be a perfect fit.”

Jefferies was looking to gain expose to her organization, so she agreed instantly. Both thought the program had a great turnout, especially being on a Sunday night.

“The concept of the show is great because there are positive women that are promoting that black girls are beautiful and do rock,” said Jefferies. “It’s all about mentoring young girls and promoting positivity and that’s what we did tonight.”

Tracy Ross and Regina King hosted the show and who began with saying how much females rock in politics, business, athletics, human rights, entertainment and many more.

It was time to redefine the meaning of “MAD Black Women,” which now stands for women “Making a Difference.”

The M.A.D girls that rock were Leanna Archer, Dyci Manns, Mari Malek and Edna Sanna. These girls have found ways to help their communities and the world grow.

Sales from Archer show that her own hair care product line has been able to feed over 120 children in Haiti while Manns organization, “Book Bags for Basics,” has helped over 1,000 students in Nicaragua, Uganda and the U.S. have school supplies. Women that are M.A.D are stand and change the world for the better.

Black Girls Rock celebrated the brilliance of seven phenomenal black women: Shirley Caesar (Living Legend), Angela Davis (Icon), Taraji P. Henson (Star Power), Shot Caller (Laurel J. Richie), Tatyana Ali (Young, Gifted and Black) and Imani Walker and Malika Saada Saar (Trailblazer).

All of these women have accomplished great things in their lives from Laurel J. Richie being the first black woman as president of the WNBA to Ali graduating from Harvard University in education and using her knowledge to help youth around the world.

Girls rock everywhere. Regardless of ethnicity, we can all make a difference in everything we do. This show celebrates the character black women and what they do to help others.

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• Jenell McMillon & Necole Jackson, Register Reporter