Last night, WEEN (Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network) held their third annual awards at the Samsung Experience/Time Warner Center in New York.  For the positive portrayal of black women in entertainment, the honorees for this year’s event were, Estelle, Keri Hilson, Tracy Mourning, Egypt Sherrod, Danyel Smith, and Jennifer Yu.

Is it important/necessary to have award shows for black women? Award shows like this one and say, Black Girls Rock? Essence Writer and Author, Demetria Lucas thinks so. On her A Belle in Brooklyn blog, she breaks it down like so:

“There are too many Black women who deserve recognition and don’t get their due just. Our celebs, the ones whose music or art or work touch our spirits, inspire us and make us proud, don’t always get the nod they deserve. We’re also bombarded with images of Black women that don’t mirror the best of who we are or give a proper reflection of our scoop. If we don’t acknowledge our leaders, our artists, our inspirations with kudos, how then can we expect anyone else to do the same? How too, can we expect our girls to be upstanding women who carry themselves with purpose when we don’t take the time to acknowledge those who do?” - Honoring Black Women

Thumbs up. Let’s flickerazzi.

If you don’t know these two, well, you’ve experienced the outcome of their work. On the left, former Elektra Records Chairman/CEO and former Motown Records President, Syliva Rhone. On the right, Co-founder and former President of Violator Mgmt., Mona Scott (think 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Fantasia, Missy Elliot.)

Estelle holding her award; it’s nice enough to keep on display.

Mashonda

Melyssa Ford

Indiana Pacers guard Dahntay Jones with his wife and Co-founder of WEEN, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones.

Up and coming singer Cherlise and Lala’s running buddy, Po Johnson.