BHM: Black Entertainment Television

BET launched on January 25, 1980 (same date as us Jan. 25, 2009)! BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a broad and impactful pro-social agenda. BET Networks’ pro-social initiatives help raise awareness about AIDS and obesity and shed light on the legendary contributions African Americans have made to this world. Programs include Touch BET, Rap-It-Up, BE HEARD, the BET Foundation and A Healthy BET.

CORPORATE MISSION: BET Networks is the pre-eminent entertainment brand serving African Americans and consumers of Black culture globally

BET was the first African-American controlled company to sell shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Criticism: In a 2010 interview, BET co-founder Sheila Johnson said she herself is "ashamed" of what the network has become. “I don’t watch it. I suggest to my kids that they don’t watch it," she said. “When we started BET, it was going to be the Ebony magazine on television. We had public affairs programming. We had news...I had a show called Teen Summit, we had a large variety of programming, but the problem is that then the video revolution started up... And then something started happening, and I didn’t like it at all. And I remember during those days we would sit up and watch these videos and decide which ones were going on and which ones were not. We got a lot of backlash from recording artists...and we had to start showing them. I didn’t like the way women were being portrayed in these videos.” (Source)



eyeAgree: I think today's generation is desensitized to the issues that affect them due to the lack of the programs I had growing up, like Teen Summit and wholesome family sitcoms. Now everything is "Reality"-based.




Let's hope BET continues their success and remains on the path of empowering the African-American community through HIV/AIDS and obesity awareness programs, and shows like "Black Girls Rock"!

Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.
Source: BET Mediaroom

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eyeLoved: Black Girls Rock!

On November 7, 2010, BET aired BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Hosted by actress Nia Long, the show highlighted the lives of black girls and women making a difference. Black Girls Rock! Inc. is a non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media. Founder of BGR, Beverly Bond and BET executive, Deborah Lee did a great job in putting together a wonderful and inspiring event.

The show featured "M.A.D. Black Girl Who Rock", which included you're average girls that made a difference in their community by their work, volunteering and advocay. Celebrity honorees included: Raven Symoné, Missy Elliot, Ruby Dee, Keke Palmer, Iyania Vanzant, General Marcelite J. Harris, and Teresa Clark. Performers included: Jill Scott, Shontelle, Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Kelly Price, Ledisi, Marsha Ambrosius and Fantasia Barrino.

Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 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 the past four years, we have enjoyed the opportunity to enrich the lives of girls aged 12 to 17 years old through mentorship, arts education, cultural exploration and public service. At BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, young women are offered access to enrichment programs and opportunities that place special emphasis on personal development through the arts and cooperative learning.

By speaking to the next generation in their formative years about issues of self-worth, goals, and aspirations, the organization reinforces the message that young women need not objectify themselves or relinquish their autonomy. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has boldly taken on the crisis of our female youth of color here in America head on and understands the need for positive self-images and a strong sense of awareness. WE SEE SOLUTIONS (blackgirlsrockinc.com).

"If you're lucky, you find out who you are before you find out what you want to become." - Ruby Dee

Here's part one of the show...

Watch the rest of the show here

Did you watch the show? Did you enjoy it? Do you know any Black Girls Who Rock?! COMMENT!

♥ t i f f a n y, your Black Girl who ROCKS!
Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.