Rihanna, Shonda Rhimes & More to Be Honored at BET's BLACK GIRLS ROCK 2016

BET Networks is thrilled to reveal the empowering celebrants of "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" 2016: Rihanna, Rock Star Award, Shonda Rhimes, Shot Caller Award, Gladys Knight, Living Legend Award, Danai Guira, Star Power Award, Amandla Stenberg, Young, Gifted & Black, Black Lives Matter Founders: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, Community Change, Agent Award.

Additionally, Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae will be hitting the stage as performers for "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" 2016 along with "Living Legend" Celebrant Gladys Knight gracing the stage for an unforgettable performance. This year the dynamic "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" movement, founded by Beverly Bond, celebrates its 10 year anniversary and its sixth televised broadcast on BET Networks. The NAACP Award winning "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" on BET continues to represent a revolutionary landmark in media as it delivers edifying, entertaining and inspiring content honoring the nexus of achievements made by powerful Black women and girls. Tracee Ellis Ross will return as host of the event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Tune in to watch "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" 2016 on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 8:00 P.M./ET.

This years' presenters for "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" 2016 will feature exceptional Black women who rock including BET's "Chasing Destiny" star Kelly Rowland, songstresses Erykah Badu, Dionne Warwick, Spiritual Life coach Iyanla Vanzant, activist Bethann Hardison and actresses Naturi Naughton, Tatyana Ali, Teyonah Parris and Yara Shahidi.

Coca-Cola is this year's sponsor of the M.A.D (Making A Difference) GIRLS, an honor bestowed upon young girls who strive for excellence within their communities. Each year, "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!" celebrates dynamic young women and girls who have been recognized as change agents due to their resolve to come up with enterprises and ideas that promote progressive change in their communities. The 2016 "Making a Difference" a.k.a. "M.A.D. GIRLS," are Marley Dias, Maya Penn and Haile Thomas, young women who remind us that there is not an age requirement for community action and social responsibility.

For updates or more information about BLACK GIRLS ROCK! visit http://www.BET.com/blackgirlsrock and www.blackgirlsrock.com

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ABOUT BLACK GIRLS ROCK! :

Founded by celebrity DJ, model and executive producer, Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is a multifaceted movement dedicated to shifting the culture of media images depicting Black women and girls. Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has been committed to empowering women through media and enriching girls through leadership, education, and positive identity development programs. For additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK! , visit http://www.blackgirlsrock.com.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

ABOUT NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey where GREAT PERFORMANCES and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey's Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State's and the world's best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over seven million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit http://www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.

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