BGR!FEST is an immersive multi-day experience, an extension of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK brand created by DJ Beverly Bond. This ultimate urban music and lifestyle fest and features concerts, discussions, workshops, and free community events.
This year the fest was held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on March 5th-8th. Simone Eccleston, Director of Hip Hop Culture & Contemporary Music at the Center, and her team have been heavily involved in the programming and planning of BGR!Fest for the past two years. What a perfect partnership!
SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 5th
– 10:00AM – 2:00PM: BLACK GIRLS LEAD: YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM at select schools in the DMV area.
– 9:00PM – 12:00AM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Unplugged Secret Shows.
Friday, March 6th
– 6:00PM – 7:00PM : BGR!FEST “WHO ROCKS NEXT” Millennium Stage free performance streamed live. PERFORMER: Victory Boyd
– 8:00PM – 10:00PM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Concert Series. PERFORMERS: Ms. Lauryn Hill & Alice Smith
– 9:30PM – 12:00AM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Unplugged Secret Shows.
Saturday, March 7th
– 2:00PM – 6:00PM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! A free Empowerment Speaker Series featuring thoughtful voices of our time Conversation Series.
– 6:00PM – 7:00PM: BGR!FEST “WHO ROCKS NEXT” Millennium Stage free performance streamed live. PERFORMER: Ill Camille
– 8:00PM – 10:00PM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Concert Series. PERFORMERS: Ms. Lauryn Hill & Alice Smith
– 9:30PM – 12:00AM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Unplugged Secret Shows.
Sunday, March 8th
– 12:00PM – 4:00PM: BGR!FEST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION – International Women’s Day Weekend conversations with esteemed women thought leaders.
– 2:00PM – 6:00PM: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Free Day-after DAY’ party and jam session featuring and BLACK GIRLS ROCK! CEO and celebrity DJ Beverly Bond and friends.
This fest provides an empowering platform for women of color to showcase their talents, voices and vision. This four-day event took place during International Women’s Day Weekend, in partnership with the Kennedy Center and serves as one of the premier global commemorative events to celebrate the voices of women around the world.
This year the BGRFEST featured the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill headlining two nights with powerhouse singer, opener, Alice Smith. Both women tore the house down! Both were headliners in my eyes.
-
- Alice Smith – Photo cred: Jati Lindsay
-
- Lauryn Hill – Photo cred: Jati Lindsay
This year they also introduced ‘BGR!FEST Unplugged’, a series of intimate late-night ‘secret shows’ with surprise performances. I attended the secret show on Friday night and to my surprise, the secret performer was the beautiful and extremely talented Mumu Fresh. She killed it per usual! I hope they keep these unplugged shows moving forward.
Maimouna Youssef – Photo cred: Jati Lindsay
The other two nights, the secret performers were female rapper Rapsody and the all-female Go-Go band, Bela Dona.
BGR!FEST draws thousands of women from across the country ready to network, fellowship and support each other. Take a look at how packed it was and that was just one night.
Photo cred: Jati Lindsay
This year the office of the Mayor of Washington, DC, presented Beverly Bond with a plaque that stated, February 6th is now officially “Black Girls Rock” day in Washington, DC. Beverly Bond accepted the plaque and said a few words:
“Thank you to Mayor Bowser, Washington, Dc and all the amazing black women that make this fest possible each year. The purpose of the Black Girls Rock platform is to recognize, support, and celebrate the diversity and dynamism of black women all over the world. My promise is to keep doing that always!”
BRAVO Ms. Bond! I hope you continue to elevate more black girls and women in the US and beyond!
www.blackgirlsrock.com
Instagram:
Naomi is a stylish, adventurous traveler. She’s a bit of a daredevil that loves excursions. Those that know her, call her a shoe connoisseur. She is also obsessed with music and has a playlist for just about any mood. She’s a foodie that loves a good vegetarian/vegan spot. Want to know where she is headed next… stay tuned to find out!
