There was so much insight delivered in the speeches given by each and every award recipient during Black Girls Rock! fifth annual awards show. If I had my printing screen I would have cleaned up on T-shirts just from cliches and one-liners dropped on us by the likes of Jada Pinkett-Smith, Ava DuVernay, Michelle Obama, Dr. Helene Gayle, Erika Badu and Nadia Lopez. Or at least a new line of refrigerator magnets to inspire.
When I was growing up it was very simple. Award shows that honor the work young people are doing are important because we must give our youth reasons to be inspired. We have to keep motivating them in a world filled with non motivating factors. We have to pave the way for them to find the silver lining in the clouds. Have you ever read something or heard a quote by someone that completely changed your life? I did. I was in Whole Foods in 2007 and I read a refrigerator magnet. It read, “Life is not about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” Who knew those words would have such an impact on my life? I decided that same day I would create the new me. This plan really worked too. Dr. Mayo Angelou left us with some unforgettable quotes. Here are some of the notable quotes heard during Black Girls Rock! speeches:
Dr. Helene Gayle
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
“Black girls do rock and we need to acknowledge [it] — if we don’t, who will?”
“Shine a light on the brilliance, beauty and bravery — shine a light that gets to shine everywhere.”
Jada Pinkett Smith
“You want people to treat you like a queen, you have to act like a queen.”
“I love getting into things they say Black girls can’t do.”
“Recognize the power in this room that each of you possess.”
“Anytime we find ourselves retweeting ‘Mo’net Davis is a slut’ — we know we still got a long way to go.”
Erykah Badu
“I feel good about creating on the spot — I am still evolving.”
“Five doctors you should know: Dr. Sun, Dr. Nutrition, Dr. Exercise, Dr. Spirit, Dr. You. Take time to take care of you.”
Dr. Nadia Taylor
“The she that Is great whether recognized or not — lives in all of us.”
“What are you doing with God’s gift he gave to you?”
Regina King
“Don’t take this kindness for weakness; you can’t just come freak this.”
Ava DuVernay
“Figure out what you need to do to be the heroine of your own story.”
