Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King Redefine Power and Influence As This Year's "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM) 2011" Co-Hosts

Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King Redefine Power and Influence as This Year's "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM) 2011" Co-Hosts

"BLACK GIRLS ROCK!(TM) 2011" Heads Back to the Historic Paradise Theater Bronx, NY

Tape Date October 15, 2011 / Network Premiere November 6, 2011 at 8 P.M.*

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Once again BET Networks joins forces with Beverly Bond, founder and CEO BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™for the second annual televised "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011"special. Dedicated to honoring exceptional women of color around the world who stand as inspirational and positive role models, "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011"is back with two talented co-hosts, Tracee Ellis RossandRegina King. Beautiful, multifaceted and empowering, this duo promises to bring elegance, intelligence and glamour to the telecast as BET Networks and BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™celebrate the achievements of this year's honorees. "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011"tapes October 15, 2011 at the historic Paradise Theater Bronx, NY and will make its network premiere on Sunday, November 6 at 8:00 P.M.*

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

The two-hour event will be a star-studded evening celebrating the strengths, triumphs and talents of Black women. Last year's recipients included: Ruby Dee - Living Legend Award; Missy Elliot - Visionary Award; Raven Symone - Young, Black & Gifted Award; Keke Palmer - Who Got Next Award; Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant - Motivator Award; Africa.com founder Teresa Clarke - Shot Caller Award; and Major General Marcelite J. Harris the nation's highest ranking African-American woman in the Department of Defense - Trailblazer Award.

This year's"BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011" celebration will once again deliver phenomenal performances from today's leading Black female entertainers. Last year's performance of Nina Simone's "Four Women" by Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi was an instant classic fueled by undeniable strength, beauty, talent and passion. This year, viewers can expect more magical moments that are sure to empower, entertain and elevate the soul and senses.

The televised special, "BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2011" is a BET Networksand B.G.R. Enterprises Inc. production. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Founder and CEO, Beverly Bond executive produces the telecast along with Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks and Connie Orlando, Eugene Caldwell, Salli Frattini, BET Networks.

*All times ET/PT

About BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™

Founded by celebrity DJ and Philanthropist, Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is dedicated to promoting positive images of women of color in mass media. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc., is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, that has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls since 2006. BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc. 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 additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™, visit www.blackgirlsrock.org.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: 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.

Simone Smalls, Simone Smalls PR, Inc. 917-388-3890 [email protected]

Michelle Huff, HUFF Events & PR 212-239-1732 [email protected]

Charlie Guadano, Simone Smalls PR, Inc. 917-388-3890 x105 [email protected]

SOURCE BET Networks