Celebrity DJ and Philanthropist Beverly Bond Announces the 2016 Launch of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICA™ During The Inaugural BET Experience Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa – Following the successful model of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! platform in the United States, Beverly Bond, founder, CEO and executive producer of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! announced that she will soon bring her dynamic visionary women’s empowerment movement to the African continent. Bond joined BET Experience Africa (#BETXAfrica) — the ultimate urban music and lifestyle festival held in Johannesburg, South Africa — on Saturday, 12 December 2015 to announce the launch of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICATM .
Beverly Bond made the big announcement at the 2015 BETX Africa “Genius Talks” where she and media mogul Khanyi Dhlomo sat down with TV and radio personality Nikiwe Bikitsha to discuss the importance of affirming platforms like BLACK GIRLS ROCK! which empowers, inspires, and encourages women and girls to be leaders in their respective fields. “The purpose of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICATM platform is to recognize, support, and celebrate the diversity and dynamism of Black women in Africa and the African Diaspora,” says Bond. “BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICATM will tap into our growing international market by illuminating the vibrant cultures and valiant narratives of our African sisters who are (s)heroes and trailblazers.”
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICA will be a multi-faceted digital, media, and lifestyle platform that will continue to elevate Black women and girls in Africa and beyond. Bond is currently working with several community-based organizations to spearhead outreach initiatives on the continent and is also collaborating with VIMN Africa/BET Africa to develop a Pan-African BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards show to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! in 2016.
Bond also hosted a BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Empowerment Lounge at #BETXAfrica which was sponsored by REVLON and included an uplifting panel discussion on women’s leadership, education, beauty, and wellness. The conversation was facilitated by Tanzanian supermodel Millen Magese and featured South Africa’s own leading media personality Bonang Mabetha and an emerging South-African actress and Neutrogena spokesperson Nomzamo Mbatha. The women emphasized the critical need for empowering platforms like BLACK GIRLS ROCK! that inspire, motivate, and support women and girls in Africa.
Beverly Bond was also #BETXAfrica’s official mainstage DJ anchoring the festival’s closing concert, which featured an all-star lineup of African and African-American artists including: Diamond (Tanzania), AKA (South Africa), Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, Maxwell (US), and more.
Continue the conversation about BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICA on Twitter and Instagram: @BlackGirlsRock @BGRAfrica and @BET_Africa using the hashtags #BlackGirlsRock and #BGRAfrica. For more information about BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and BLACK GIRLS ROCK! AFRICA please visit www.blackgirlsrock.org and for more information about BETX AFRICA visit http://www.betafrica.tv/ .
About BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™
Founded by celebrity DJ Beverly Bond, in 2006 BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is a multifaceted movement dedicated to shifting the culture of media images and empowering women and girls. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is committed to enriching girls through leadership, education, and positive identity development programs. For additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK! visit http://www.blackgirlsrock.org.
About BET in Africa
Launched on 2 April 2015, BET (DStv channel 129) is a localised general entertainment service for viewers aged 20-49. Available exclusively to 52 territories in Africa on the DStv pay-TV platform, BET is a trademark of Viacom International Inc., and is used under licence in Africa by Viacom International Media Networks Africa.
