Monday Inspiration: Estelle at the Black Girls Rock! Awards

April 5, 2015

There was #GirlPower a plenty at the fifth annual Black Girls Rock! Awards last night. Hosted by showbiz greats Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King, the event celebrated the achievements of black women in the arts and beyond, including Selma director Ava DuVernay and humanitarian Helene D. Gayle, among others.

A handful of performances paid tribute to each trailblazer: Ciara (who looked absolutely gorgeous not in pointe shoes) sang her newest hit “I Bet,” and Kathy Sledge, Cheryl Lynn and Alicia Myers gave a rousing medley of “Got to Be Real,” “I Want to Thank You” and “We Are Family.” (Check out their backup dancers’ super-groovy throwback moves—roller skates never disappoint.)

Disco balls + roller skates = ’70s magic

Estelle gave the most dancer-ful performance of the evening: While she belted “Conqueror” downstage, four women gracefully moved behind a back-lit screen upstage. It was very Pilobolus-at-the-Oscars, minus the cute factor, and the result was a beautifully moving tableau. (I, for one, would love to hear this #GirlPower anthem at competitions this year—it would totally make for a fierce group routine.) Enjoy!

Black Girls Rock!, aims to promote leadership and self-empowerment of young women of color. Visit the non-profit’s website to learn more, and check out a re-airing of the awards show Tuesday, April 7 on BET.