On the morning before Saturday's BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, MC Lyte hosted a BET-sponsored town hall meeting, "Fly Girls Vote," at Clark Atlanta University. Cultural critic and journalist Micheala Angela Davis moderated the event. Women of all backgrounds - activists, professionals, scholars, celebrities and students - attended.
Organized to speak to the empowerment of women in the Hip Hop Generation, the forum explored the storied experiences of Black Women. Panelists pointed out the challenges Black women have faced over the years and celebrated the triumphs of ordinary women and history-makers from Soujourner Truth and Harriet Tubman to Shirley Chisholm and Michelle Obama.
There were also special performances by Black Kold Medina (Trouble the Water), graffiti-style art presentations and a lively Q&A discussion that followed the panel's conversation.
Panelists included Tricia Rose, professor of Africana Studies at Brown University; activist Moya Bailey,a Spelman College Alum who led a campaign while she was an undergrad against sexist lyrics in rap music; and more.
The "Fly Girls Vote" program also featured a clip from the award-winning documentary Chisholm 72: Unbought & Unbossed. The Q&A discussion was hosted by film director Shola Lynch and moderated by noted former New York Times writer Lola Ogunnaike.
"We're so excited to bring the BET HIP HOP AWARDS back to Atlanta for the third year in a row, and we couldn't be more thrilled about partnering with these organizations for these timely and important panel discussions about financial literacy and the role women of color play in politics," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. "BET Networks has always had a strong commitment to educating and empowering our audience, and these two forums will provide our audience with a unique and engaging opportunity to discuss and learn about two of the most critical issues of today."
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