Your Black World Reports:
Often maligned in the media—justifiably—for programming that is known for depicting Black women as oversexualized video “vixens” and giving the worst in our society a 24-7 platform to reach our youth, it’s refreshing to see a positive story about Black Entertainment Network (BET).
BET is partnering with Girl Scouts of the USA to host a panel discussing The Resilience Factor, a report by the Girl Scout Research Institute “examining how African-American and Hispanic girls define, experience, and aspire to leadership.” and Chairman and CEO, Debra Lee, says that the event is an extension of the positive work BET is known for:
“Growing up in a community rooted in achievement, making a difference and having a positive impact on African Americans is something that has always been important to me,” said Lee. “At BET Networks, empowering our young people for a brighter future is at the core of who we are and certainly a big part of the work we do on air and in our community with organizations like the Girl Scouts.”
During extensive research, the Girl Scout Research Institute found that “African American and Hispanic girls are more likely to view themselves as leaders, and also more likely to aspire to leadership than their Caucasian peers.”
Proving that struggling with racism, classism, discrimination and poverty, actually makes Black and Hispanic girls more resilient and confident, as opposed to being passive, and with an understanding of their potential as leaders.
Some of the re-affirming statistics include: Fifty-three percent of African American girls desire to be leaders. African American girls want to be the kind of leader who stands up for her beliefs and values (88%), brings people together to get things done (87%), and tries to change the world for the better (83%).
In 2010, BET partnered with Black Girls Rock! Inc to engender empowerment among young African-American girls.
National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is also sponsoring the event, that in addition to Lee, will feature Representative Karen Bass (D-CA), Essence magazine Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White, and Beverly Bond, founder of Black Girls Rock! Inc.
