We're having a party, and you're invited! Pamela Samuels Young’s new novel, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE is now available. To celebrate it’s release Pamela is hosting a two week long E-Event filled with goodies, giveaways, freebies and book fun.
Here’s the details and party schedule:
August 13, 2012:  Live stream tweet chat. Pamela will be giving away a Vernetta Henderson bag during this chat.
August 15, 2012: BAN radio 8-9:30. Live chat 9:30-10 PM ET live chat. We will be giving away signed set of books and 3 gift bags from EDC partners. You get to talk with Pamela LIVE.
August 24, 2012:  Facebook group chat.
August 13-24.2012:  Blog Hop. Another Vernetta Henderson Bag will be given away. Check Rafflecopter below for your chance to enter. Also those who stop by each blog hop stop, you will have the opportunity to receive a free Kindle download of ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.
August 13-24th: Goodreads Giveaway. Here’s a chance to win a signed autograph copy of the ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.
August 13-24th. Pinterest loves Pam. Pin your favorite Pamela Samuels Young book to increase your chances of winning the Vernetta Henderson Handbag during the blog hop. click here to pin

Now the Goodies!

• During the E-event we will announce a special giveaway for all bloggers and participants. So either subscribe to this post, follow the blog hop, or be present at some of the scheduled events. 
• In each of the bloggers posts (see list below,) there will be a "secret word." This word will be italicized, so it will be easy to find. All you have to do is make note of this secret word at each blog hop stop. Collect all secret words and submit your list to Dee Stewart at deegospelpr@gmail.com before midnight on Friday, August 24th and you will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing!
• The winner of this drawing will receive a FREE Vernetta Henderson Handbag Gift Pack (contains a burgundy Cabas handbag, designer scarf, cosmetics bag, makeup kit, stationery, and an autographed copy of ACP) from Pamela Samuels Young. How fun is that?
• Contests are open to residents of the United States only.

We hope you'll join us for this exciting event! Don't forget to tell all of your Pamela Samuels Young loving friends! The more, the merrier!

Add this cute badge to your blog and add you and your blog to the linky link below. We will email the details and where to receive the content you need for the blog hop and your secret word.

Ask Dr. Sherry LIVE at 2012 Essence Music Festival

Braxton Family Values (WE) Dr. Sherry Blake joins Essence.com LIVE Stage Relationship Panel for the Essence Music Festive

Atlanta, GA – America’s favorite celebrity family therapist Dr. Sherry Blake joins the Essence.com LIVE stage to offer relationship advice to attendees of the 2012 Essence Music Festival. On Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 10:55-11:55 AM. Dr. Sherry will appear on the same stage as noted television host FREE and Essence Beauty Director Corynne Corbett. “I will be on hand to help out with your burning dating and relationship dilemmas during the festival,” Dr. Sherry states. From noon to 1 PM she will also sign her new book, THE SINGLE-MARRIED WOMAN: True Stories of Why Women Feel Alone in Their Marriages at the Essence Bookstore. Now in its 18th year, The ESSENCE Music Festival hosted over 422,000 attendees last year. What began in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ESSENCE magazine has now grown into one of the country's most popular summer events. It is the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American music and culture.  Learn more about the festival’s schedule at http://www.essence.com/festivals/2012/essence-music-festival/ About Dr Sherry Dr. Sherry earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She has also served as the President of the Metropolitan Atlanta Mental Health Association. Besides working with the Braxton Family, Dr. Sherry was the official psychologist for the National Football League’s Southeast Division and has worked with award winning entertainers to professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, and the MLB. She has appeared as a source for major broadcast radio stations and television news networks including: WSB-TV(ABC,) WAGA-TV(FOX), WXIA-TV (NBC), WGCL-TV(CBS), WJZF-Radio, and WVEE-FM Radio. In addition to her specialty work with celebrities, she owns and operates Touchstone Psychological Services in Atlanta, Georgia. Touchstone Psychological Services provides services to children, adolescents, and adults in the area of assessments, psychotherapy, and education/prevention. Visit her at http://drsherryonline.com/

If the Pulitzer Board Didn’t Pick a Fiction Winner, then I Pick SILVER SPARROW…

Yesterday the Pulitzers were announced. To my surprise there was no winner for the Fiction category. Three novels were finalists:  Denis Johnson’s "TRAIN DREAMS , calm; SWAMPLANDIA! by Karen Russell and THE PALE KING by the late David Foster Wallace. .Do you think they would have found a winner if your favorite book of last year was nominated? Who would you have recommended?

My recommendation would have been Tayari Jones SILVER SPARROW.

Also kudos to the late Manning Marable for winning the Pulitzer in Nonfiction for “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention," an exploration of the legendary life and provocative views of one of the most significant African-Americans in U.S. history, a work that separates fact from fiction and blends the heroic and tragic.

THINK LIKE A MAN ATLANTA FASHION

Regal Atlantic Station played host to the red carpet Think Like a Man premiere, which was attended by Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Michael Ealy, Gary Owen, Rainforest's Rob Hardy, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, T.I., Nelly, Vanessa A. Williams, Egypt Sherrod, Ne-Yo, Tasha Smith, Terri J. Vaughn, Michael Jai White, Keshia Knight Pulliam and so many more.

Above are some of the fashions seen on the red carpet.

Photos: James Pray, Jazmyne Simmons

THINK LIKE A MAN opens nationwide on April 20. Visit the film at www.thinklikeaman-movie.com

THINK LIKE A MAN CAST ATLANTA UNIVERSITY CENTER BLOCK PARTY

On April 6, 2012 Atlanta had Think Like a Man fever as the cast of Screen Gems upcoming romantic comedy hit the city for a full day of promotional activities. After various morning radio interviews, Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Terrence J, Romany Malco and La La Anthonyheaded over to Clark-Atlanta University for a stop at WCLK 91.9 and then a press conference with numerous AUC (Atlanta University Center) campus media. The cast then went over to Morehouse, where TLAM director Tim Story and Rainforest Films producer Will Packer joined them for a lively pep rally featuring giveaways, a dance contest, a Greek stroll and a fun Q&A.

THINK LIKE A MAN opens nationwide on April 20. Visit the film at www.thinklikeaman-movie.com

Continue reading on Examiner.com THINK LIKE A MAN PROMO PARTY on MOREHOUSE CAMPUS - Atlanta Christian fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/christian-fiction-in-atlanta/think-like-a-man-promo-party-on-morehouse-campus#ixzz1rjV8XiCS

Thriller Thursday: Can a Real Spy Write a Thriller?

Huffington Post Intelligence and Policy Blogger and Former CIA analyst turned author Alma Katsu answers the question, "Can A Real Spy Write a Spy Thriller?" and shares 3 Things to Consider when Your Day Job is the stuff of Novels today on Thriller Thursdays at The Thrill Begins Blog. Alma will be online throughout the day answering your questions and responding to your comments. Click the link above to be directed to the blog.

FYI: On Thursdays I moderate The Thrill Begins Blog. Please hop over and chat with me and Alma Katsu.

Nelson George, Chris Rock and Diane Paragas at Opening Night of the Urbanworld Film Festival

FILM STARS GATHER AT OPENING NIGHT OF URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL 

 

Nelson George, Chris Rock and Diane Paragas at Opening Night of the Urbanworld Film Festival

(NEW YORK) September 16, 2011 -  The 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET Networks kicked off last night in NYC with the Opening Night world premiere of Nelson George and Diane Paragas' documentary Brooklyn Boheme. Stars such as Chris Rock, Spike Lee, festival ambassadorMario Van Peebles, Maxwell, Giancarlo Esposito and John Boyega (who's filming a movie with Spike) came out in support of the film many describe as a "love letter to Brooklyn."

"We're very excited to be premiering this film at Urbanworld," said George. "Hopefully, the exposure we're receiving at this festival will create opportunities for us to bring 'Brooklyn Boheme' to the rest of the world."

Additional celebs/VIPs in attendance included BET's Stephen Hill, Basketball Wives' Meeka Claxton, radio personality Egypt Sherrod, culture critic Michaela Angela Davis, stylist/entrepreneur Marlo Hampton, actorHassan Johnson, director Qasim Basir and The Start of Dreams directors The Horne Brothers.

Urbanworld continues through Sunday 9/18 with appearances by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, Tyrese, Jamie Hector, Valerie Simpson, Sonia Sanchez, Tami Roman, Chad Coleman, Nashawn Kearse and more. Visit www.urbanworld.org for more information.

2011 National Read a Book Day Shana Burton’s Catt Chasin

Today, September 6, 2011 is National Read a Book Day. The holiday is designed to encourage us to take time from our busy lives and relax with a great book. This year we have selected Shana Burton’s Catt Chasin’(Urban Books) as our 2011 Read a Book Day Pick.

Why did we choose this book?

Catt Chasin’ the story of Jamal Ford. He has narrowed his love life down to a science through the creation of his 30-Day Dating Plan, a guide intended to weed out the drama queens, gold-diggers, and baby mamas from his ideal: a part goddess, part sex kitten, and part Stepford Wife mate. The shallow, fun-loving 33-year-old knows he’s one of Charlotte, North Carolina’s most eligible bachelors, and he won’t settle for anything less than the trophy wife of his dreams.Catherine “Catt” Cason has never let anything slow her down. The brilliant chemist takes being labeled “the cute fat girl” in stride as she fast-tracks her way to a top position with her cosmetic company, Telegenic. While she would enjoy the love of a good man, Catt refuses to risk heartbreak again just to have a warm body at her side. Besides, why settle for the love of an earthly man when she is the fiancée of Christ?

When Jamal is paired with Catt to launch a new product for work, it’s loathe at first sight. She thinks he’s arrogant and incompetent; he thinks she’s a sanctimonious kill-joy. However, what each believes they want may not be what God knows they need. In this game of love, rules don’t exist, and no heart is safe. The Lord is speaking, but will they be too caught up in their own agendas to listen?

Doesn’t the sound like fun?

We will be talking about the book all September and chatting with the author, Shana Burton, too.

Would you like to join us?

To join us is an easy three step process:

1. Join us all month long on Facebook by clicking here (http://on.fb.me/bookmonth).
2. If you do not own a copy, click here to purchase one (http://amzn.to/cattchase )
3. Share http://amzn.to/cattchase with your friends on Facebook or Twitter/

 

Once you’re done, please check in here. Our Goal is to get 50 readers reading Shana Burton Catt Chasin on September 6 and throughout the month. That’s not a Hard Goal. Right?!

Thanks for participating!

Alonquin Book Club, Heidi Durrow and Terrey McMillan

http://t.co/p6i2aOg Terry McMillan interviews Heidi Durrow tomorrow , September 17, 2011 at 10 pm EST/ 7PM PCT for live webcast

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Red Beach Bag Books: The Lightkeeper’s Ball

“The New York brownstone was just half a block down from the Astor mansion on Fifth Avenue, the most prestigious address in the country. The carriage, monogrammed with the Stewart emblem, rattled through the iron gates and came to a halt in front of the ornate doors.”

I like when I read the first lines of a fresh novel and it pulls me in as if I’m the character. Colleen Coble does a great job of transporting you into her character’s world. If you’re into elegance, romance, regencies, and a story written with a Christian worldview then this book is for you.

So to kick off my Red Beach Bag Summer Books Spotlight I introduce you to The Lightkeeper’s Ball. (The bag is a Carolina Herrara.)

Synopsis: Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.

Olivia Stewart's family is one of the Four Hundred-the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt-and the more she is drawn to him herself.

When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they're forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement-she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.

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Sneak Peak and Excerpt of A Good Excuse to Be Bad

Thursday I finally turned in Someone Bad and Something Blue to my editor. I took Friday off to relax my brain and read. I hope you all will help me write Book 3 (will begin plotting next week.) However, this morning I learned that you could read a sneak peak of A Good Excuse to Be Bad. It releases next month, so I’m pinching myself every day. Would love for you to check out and tell me how you feel. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Good-Excuse-Be-Bad/dp/0758259506

 

Also, mirandaparker.com is a community site. I built it so that you could register share your stories, books, book clubs, whatever with me and others who like the stories I write and the things I like. So register, tell yourself something about me and let’s have a good excuse to get to know each other!!

 

Miranda P

Beverly Cleary Finalist for 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes

 

The 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes ceremony honors the best books of 2010

The 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes will be awarded April 29, 2011, in a ceremony at the Los Angeles Times building. Beloved children’s author Beverly Clearly is awarded 2010 Robert Kirsch Award.

The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes were first awarded in 1980, with the idea of honoring literary excellence and celebrating the community of readers in Los Angeles. Now, more than thirty years later, the Book Prizes have expanded to 10 categories, have honored more than thirty writers from the west with the Kirsch Award, and now offer an Innovator’s Award, which recognizes the people and institutions that are doing cutting edge work to bring books, publishing and storytelling into the future. Past winners include: Nobel Laureates Gabriel Garcia Marquez, National Book Award winners Joan Didion; and Dave Eggers, who won the current interest prize for “Zeitoun” in the same year that he was named winner of the Innovator’s Award for his work with McSweeney’s, the 826 Literacy organization and his multitude of other achievements in the world of books.

The 2010 Book Prizes Innovator’s Award Winner, Robert Kirsch Award Winner, and the category finalists were announced publicly on February 22, 2011. Click here to view the winners

Attica Locke will be presenting Mystery/Thriller Prize.

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Holiday Lit Luxe : Book Clutch

What’s cooler than cuddling up with a good book, a blanket and some cocoa this holiday season? How about a designer Lolita clutch by Olympia Le-Tan?

Actress Natalie Portman sported hardbacked Lolita at the premiere of her new acclaimed movie Lolita and Clemence Poesy clutched her copy of at The Harry Potter Premiere.

Want one? Clutch your pearls. These faux books are luxe ($1200+) So you could save up,  ask Santa or get it here. http://www.olympialetan.com

Just saw a DIY video tutorial . Thinking of making a few A Good Excuse to Be Bad ones for Miranda Parker fans. Wachoothink?

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Lori Tharps Natural Hair Care/Substitute Me Twitter PJ Party blacklitchat

We are pleased to announce that this Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 9pm EST Substitute Me author, Lori L. Tharps will be our guest for #blacklitchat Tweet Chat on Twitter!!!!!!!!!!

So grab your book, grab your PJs, grab your galpals and lets have an online book chat with her.  Also if you have questions about natural hair care, have them ready so she can answer.

Umm…who is Lori. L. Tharps?

Lori L. Tharps is an assistant professor of journalism at Temple University, an author, freelance journalist and mom. She was a staff reporter at Vibe magazine and then a correspondent for Entertainment Weekly. She has written for Ms., Savoy, Suede, Bitch, Odyssey Couleur and Essence magazines.  She’s the author of  two non-fiction books: Hair Story coauthored with Ayana Byrd, Kinky Gizpacho and her debut novel Substitute Me.
I’ve heard about Substitute Me, but don’t know what it’s about?

Substitute Me reads like ” a modern-day horror story… that will haunt you for days.”
Essence Magazine, August 2010

Where is the source of our identities? Our upbringing, occupation, partners? Kate, a driven public-relations exec and mom coming off maternity leave, tells Zora, while interviewing her for a nanny post, that she wants to hire a “substitute me.” Zora, an upper-middle-class African American, wants the job but worries about betraying the dreams of the women who came before her by becoming a domestic. She then finds her passion in cooking, and practices to become a personal chef by feeding the family as part of her duties. Brad, Kate’s egalitarian banker husband, feels uncomfortable making so much money in the pre-meltdown days. Kate misses her son but throws herself wholeheartedly into her work, putting in exceptionally long days. Brad accepts all these household changes, and finds himself spending more time with Zora than Kate. Friends, lovers, co-workers, and family—all armed with opinions and attitudes—play key roles in Tharps’ lively modern domestic drama about why we are who we are. . --Danise Hoover, BookList

"Lori Tharps's warm and engaging novel about the struggles of juggling marriage, motherhood and a meaningful career focuses on a story we're each living, but also exposes the secrets we won't tell. An enjoyable read."
-- Heidi Durrow, author of The Girl Who Fell from the Sky

Book clubs: Substitute Me will give you so much to talk, laugh and argue about, you might want to schedule two meetings to discuss it. Days after finishing it, I'm still debating who the villain is. Lori Tharps has written a timely, engaging page-turner that every working mom in America should read!"
-- Carleen Brice, author of Children of the Waters
A fresh, fun, view of "the help" from a writer to watch.
-- Benilde Little, author of Good Hair

After you’re read the book, I’ll add your praise here. (wink, nod)

What is BlackLit Chat?

It's a stream of tweets about books by Black[including Pan-African, African-American, Brit, Caribbean, Canadian Black, etc.] authors in real time during a specified time. Our time  for this chat is Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 9 PM EST.

More about #BlackLitChat is here at my co-host Bernadette Davis’ Black Books Blog. 

 How does it Work? 3 Easy Steps

1. 1. Get a Twitter account, or login, or remember your Twitter Password.
2. 2. Join the chat by clicking this link. http://twebevent.com/blacklitchat
3. 3. Now login with your Twitter Password.

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Soul Train Awards Atlanta Fresh Live

 

Soul Train Awards week in Atlanta kicked off right last night at Shanti Das and Marlon Nichols' ATL LIVE ON THE PARK showcase hosted by Kenny Burns. Surprise performances, sexy ambiance and a room of the music industry's who's who made the evening one of the best shows ever!

Dallas Austin, Kenard Gibbs, Mayor Kasim Reed, Kenny Burns, Frank Ski, Shanti Das & Ron Devoe

Attendees included Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Soul Train Holdings CEO Kenard Gibbs, Doug E. Fresh, Frank Ski, Rodney Jerkins, Dallas Austin, Sister 2 Sister publisher Jamie Foster Brown, New Edition's Ron Devoe, Chaka Zulu, Catherine Brewton, Kawan Prather and many more!

The show's featured acts were R&B vet Donell Jones, newcomer from SoulTrain.com Rhonda Nicoleand Universal Motown/Darkchild Records girl group Purple Reign. However, guests were treated to impromptu performances by Brownstone's Nicci Gilbert and Ron Devoe (who took everyone back to "Poison"). But the highlight of the night was Doug E. Fresh, who did his own fly version of Cali Swagg District's "Teach Me How to Dougie" and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Classic!

Photos: James Pray for Supreme Team Photography

 Doug E. Fresh and Shanti Das

 

    Mayor Kasim Reed, Jamie Foster Brown & Kenard Gibbs

Rodney Jerkins & Marlon Nichols

 

Yelawolf & Dallas Austin

 

                                Kawan Prather and Catherine Brewton

 

            Ron Devoe, Kameelah Williams (702), Chaka Zulu                                

 

Donell Jones does his classic "You Know What's Up"

Doug E. Fresh teaches ATL LIVE how to really Dougie 
      Brownstone's Nicci Gilbert does a rendition of "If You Love Me"

 

       The crowd goes wild for all the surprise performances.        

 

           

 

 

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Black Girls Rocked Last Night

 

Founder, CEO and Executive Producer of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Beverly Bondstated, “This historic partnership with BET marks the beginning of an empowerment movement for women of color across the globe because Black Girls Rock all over the world.” Bond continued, “Our girls are not being told how amazing they really are or how amazing they really can be. It is time that we start telling them. It is time that we start shouting out to the entire world that ‘We’ Black Girls Rock!”

Introduced by the beautiful Malinda Williams, the first award of the night was presented to the precocious Raven-Symoné, now the brains behind her own empire. When accepting her Young, Black & Gifted Award, Symone said, “It’s up to us as females to open doors for other females like the other legends sitting here tonight.”

Following that award, singer and songwriter Shontelle performed her touching ballad, “Impossible,”

- more -

reminding the audience of the outstanding achievements of each of the celebrants. Symone later introduced the Who Got Next Award to the inspirational ingénue, Keke Palmer.

The multifaceted entertainer and producer Missy Elliot was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by one of her best friends and fellow R&B powerhouse, Ciara.  Later, Monica graced the stage with her soulful hit, “Still Standing.”  UK artist VV Brown performed her fantastical chart-topper, “Shark in the Water,” and held it down in a lineup that featured additional performances heavyweights like Keyshia Cole and Keri Hilson.

Honoring some of the most extraordinary black women and girls around the country from entertainers to influencers, the show’s inspiring celebrants truly embodied the spirit of their category.  Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, recipient of the Motivator Award, said “Black girls rock, because we have no other choice. We have a responsibility torock the world, rock the community and rock the planet so our grandmothers will know that they did not die in vain.” Vanzant got a standing ovation for her powerful acceptance speech.

Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi performed a flawless rendition of Nina Simone’s “4 Women” that brought down the house as part of a tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of notable African American women.

Teresa Clarke, founder of Africa.com, received the Shot Caller Award for her effortsto change the way the world views Africa and Major General Marcelite J. Harris, who was the the highest ranking woman officer in the Air Force and the Nation’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense, was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award.

The iconic Ruby Dee was the recipient of the Living Legend Award and was introduced by the exquisite Lynn Whitfield. “Ruby Dee represents everythingBLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ stands for,” Whitfield added.

Dee, in her moving acceptance speech, said “It’s times like these that I come to understand and appreciate profoundly the empowerment and promise, the responsibility in being deemed a legend.” Following her touching tribute, Fantasia, Kelly Price, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosius rocked the stage in the finale medley of “A Brand New Day,” “I Am Woman,” and “I’m Every Woman.”

The star studded affair also included memorable performances and tributes as well as entertaining and inspiring video messages from other black women that rockincluding actresses Anika Noni Rose and Tracee Ellis Ross; BET Networks CEO and Chairman Debra Lee; host and entertainer Sherri Shepherd; Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP; and Black Girls Rock! Inc. Foundation founder Beverly Bond.

In addition to the outstanding performances, the below women were honored atBLACK GIRLS ROCK!™

o Young, Gifted & Black – Raven-Symoné

o Visionary – Missy Elliott

o Who Got Next? – Keke Palmer

o Shot Caller – Teresa Clarke

o Living Legend – Ruby Dee

o Trailblazer – Major General Marcelite J. Harris

o Motivator – Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant

- more -

The following individuals were recognized as Black Girls Making a Difference:

o Amiya Alexander

o Hydeia Broadbent

o Kari Fulton

o Adele Taylor

The televised special, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is a BET Networks and B.G.R. Enterprises Inc. production. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc. Founder, Beverly Bond executive produced the telecast along with Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks; Connie Orlando, Eugene Caldwell, Salli Frattini, BET Networks; and L. Londell McMillan, President of The Northstar Group.