Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King Set to Return as Co-Hosts for BLACK GIRLS ROCK!

The BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ 2012 special on BET is back for a third televised installment with heartfelt performances, tributes and special awards to celebrate the achievements of remarkable women of color. Back by popular demand is the dynamic duo of Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King who are returning to co-host this year's awards show. The historic Loews Paradise Theatre in New York City will be the site of the annual celebration which tapes Saturday, October 13, 2012 and premieres Sunday, November 4, 2012 on BET Networks.

Black women are leading in the White House and are becoming more and more prevalent in Fortune 500 companies, dominating professional sports, driving political discourse and winning Hollywood's top awards. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 2012 promises to deliver defining moments for women around the world through highlighting empowering stories of excellence from women of color from a broad spectrum of diverse missions and professional backgrounds.

This year's much-deserving celebrants and award recipients include: Grammy Award-winning music legend Dionne Warwick – Living Legend Award; actress Kerry Washington – Star Power Award; magazine editor, writer and journalist Susan Taylor – Inspiration Award; singer-songwriter Alicia Keys – Rock Star Award; and human rights activists and doctors, Dr. Hawa Abdi and her daughters – Social Humanitarian Award.

The two-hour event will be a star-studded evening with performances and appearances by Alicia Keys, Brandy, India.Arie, Keyshia Cole, Ciara and 2011 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Star Power Award recipient Academy Award-nominee Taraji P. Henson and more. Viewers can expect more memorable moments from this year's awards show that are sure to empower, entertain and elevate the soul.

"We're thrilled to once again partner with Beverly Bond and her fantastic organization to bring to the screen the 2012 edition of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! It's truly an honor to recognize our celebrants who have accomplishments in a wide variety of fields. Look for some very special performances from an array of genres. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is empowering, uplifting, fun…and perfect on BET!" said Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials.

"BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is extremely proud to partner with BET Networks, for a third year, to produce the 2012 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! special. This show has become an essential platform where dynamic women are honored and exalted for bringing the best of our cultural contributions to the forefront. The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! award show on BET celebrates the nexus of achievements of women of color and showcases Black female excellence, to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders," said Beverly Bond, founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc.

Official sponsors of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 2012 include My Black is Beautiful, Crest 3-D White, COVERGIRL and Chevrolet.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 2012 will premiere internationally on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
For more information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK! go to www.BET.com/BlackGirlsRock Join the conversation on Twitter by using hashtag: #BLACKGIRLSROCK and following us @BET.
To apply for media credentials to cover BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 2012 red carpet, visit our press site, www.betpressroom.com. The deadline to apply for media credentials ends at midnight, Monday, October 8, 2012.

The televised special, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 2012 is a BET Networks and 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, Salli Frattini of Sunset Lane Entertainment and co-executive Producer, Jane Mun.