PICTURES - 4th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards

With an upcoming show on HGTV for "Green" building, Mr. & Mrs. RJ Masi of RJ Masi World Construction and Interior Design donated $25,000 to the Black Girls Rock! Inc. foundation at the 4th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Legendary poet, activist and playwright Dr. Sonia Sanchez commanded the stage when she accepted her Black Girls Rock! "Living Legend" Award with a powerful speech and impromptu performance of one of her original pieces.  "What does it mean to be human?  If we don't know what this means, how can we move into the next century," she asked.  

Hosts Tracee Ellis Ross & Regina King kept the audience laughing with a number of impromptu skits beginning with their catwalk strut across the stage as an ode to this year's Black Girls Rock! "Fashionista Award" recipient Naomi Campbell. Later in the night, Regina King showcased her rapping skills when she broke out in an impressive freestyle rap as an ode to honoree Queen Latifah. Although Ross struggled to follow-up, she quickly responded with the chorus of Latifah's 90's hit, U.N.I.T.Y.  The audience loved it.

Hip hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh joined Def Leopard guitarist Phil Collen in presenting the Black Girls Rock! "Rock Star" Award to Queen Latifah.  After giving their opening introductions, Doug E. Fresh returned to the stage and within minutes brought the audience to their feet with a trip down hip hop lane, performing snippets of classic tracks and closing with his own multi-platinum hit "Ladi Dadi."  He ignited such amazing energy, that even Queen Latifah tapped it as the best introduction of her entire career.

The night continued with impromptu moments including a quick business deal from the stage between Queen Latifah and Raven Symone for Queen Latifah's Cover Girl Queen Collection, all in jest of course. But the legitimate, most unexpected moment came when Queen Latifah matched Mr. & Mrs. RJ Masi's donation of $25,000.

Black Girls Rock! "Who's Got Next" Award recipient Janelle Monae spoke on the need for diversity and appreciation in music when she accepted her award. Her words were so inspiring that several of the night's honorees referred to her speech throughout the evening. Queen Latifah said it best,  "Now that's the type of artist I wouldn't mind turning the industry over to."   Monae later closed the show with an exhilarating performance of her song "Sincerely Jane."

Catherine Malandrino honored Mary J. Blige with a heart felt speech, introducing her as the 2009 Black Girls Rock! "Icon" Award recipient.