Watch Black Girls Rock! 2019

Black Girls Rock! is an annual television special that celebrates the achievements and contributions of black women in various fields including entertainment, politics, entrepreneurship, and social activism. This year's edition, Black Girls Rock! 2019, held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ, was hosted by actresses Regina Hall and Niecy Nash and featured performances by several talented artists.

The show opened with a beautiful rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by gospel singer Erica Campbell, following which host Regina Hall took the stage to welcome the audience and set the tone for the evening. She talked about the importance of black women taking up space in a world that often tries to marginalize them and emphasized the need for black women to empower each other and celebrate their successes.

The first honoree of the night was world-renowned tennis player, Naomi Osaka, who was presented with the Rock Star Award by fellow tennis legend, Billie Jean King. Osaka, who is of Japanese and Haitian descent, talked about her experiences growing up as a biracial child and how she used tennis as a way to express herself and defy stereotypes. She also spoke about her recent US Open win, which was marred by controversy when the umpire accused her of cheating and she was booed by the crowd. Osaka used the opportunity to shed light on the issue of sexism in sports and the double standards faced by women athletes.

Other honorees of the night included Grammy-winning singer Judith Hill, who received the Soul Music Icon Award and gave a powerful performance of her song "The Pepper Club"; political strategist Angela Rye, who received the Community Change Agent Award for her work in advocating for social justice and political empowerment; and actress and producer, Marsai Martin, who received the Young Black and Gifted Award for her achievements at a young age, including becoming the youngest executive producer in Hollywood with her film, 'Little'.

Throughout the show, various artists took the stage to perform and pay tribute to the honorees. R&B singer, India.Arie, gave a soulful performance of her song "Steady Love"; gospel singer, Yolanda Adams, brought the audience to their feet with her rendition of "Victory"; and rapper Rapsody performed her hit song "Nina". Other performers included Leikeli47, Kiana Ledé, and Common, who closed the show with a moving tribute to the late, great, Nipsey Hussle.

One of the highlights of the show was the "Our Stories" segment, where various black women shared their personal stories of triumph and resilience. One woman talked about overcoming homelessness and starting her own business; another shared how she fought against sexual harassment in the workplace and won. These stories served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of black women and the importance of telling their stories.

Overall, Black Girls Rock! 2019 was a powerful celebration of black women and their accomplishments. The show highlighted the achievements of a diverse group of women and emphasized the importance of black women supporting each other and taking up space in a world that often tries to silence them. Through its performances, speeches, and personal stories, the show delivered a powerful message of empowerment and inspiration to its viewers, reminding them that black girls truly do rock!