The 2009 Black Girls Rock Awards  will honor Mary J. Blige, Raven-Symoné, Queen Latifah, Janelle Monae, Naomi Campbell, Sonia Sanchez and more this weekend, with Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross as hosts. The fourth anniversary of the star-studded event is the annual fundraiser for Black Girls Rock, Inc, founded by DJ Beverly Bond. And ladies aren't the only ones feeling the love as Anthony Hamilton gets an award. "It is great to see women sticking together and recognizing each other for the positive things they do," he said. ESSENCE.com caught up with Bond, King and Raven-Symoné on the special moment of Black women celebrating each other.

Black Girls Rock: Beverly Bond

By Kenya N. Byrd

ESSENCE.COM: Congrats! It's the fourth year and you're still going strong. What makes Black Girls Rock such a success?
BEVERLY BOND: Well, to quote April Silver, when Black women meet, Black people eat. That's so true, especially since this is not just a women's issue. Not that our men don't get it but women have so much power that they have to tap into and help save the world. Amazing women come out and support us each year, like Regina King. She has been with me from the beginning and understands the mission and doesn't ask us for anything. We don't get a lot of this outpouring from someone in Regina's position and we appreciate it.

ESSENCE.COM: Why do you think that more women aren't proactive in empowering one another?
BOND: Anytime I talk to women I realize most of them have been swallowed up in the system. In other words, they know to play their role and if not they won't have jobs. Empowering ourselves will empower our community and will allow us to influence the
boys. It's so easy to influence the boys and [foster] healthy relationships between them and the young girls that we work with. We can not let lyrics and advertising serve as role models for our kids.

ESSENCE.COM: What do you hope to accomplish and that people take away from Black Girls Rock Awards?
BOND: Our underlying theme is to look for positive women of color to honor who are not just superstars but giving back to their communities. Afterwards, I hope that people will go out, give back and feel good about their community and that they feel powerful. I've never known, as a Black woman or child, that I wasn't special. Society never tells you that from the dolls they sell to the commercials, TV shows and movies. Every day I'm striving to change that and let every Black girl know that she rocks because she is special.