Ruby Dee Honored at BET's "Black Girls Rock!" Ceremony

By Joyce Lee

Ruby Dee, the actress who co-starred in the 1961 film adaption of "A Raisin in the Sun," was one of the many women honored at the 5th Annual "Black Girls Rock!" event, which aired Sunday on BET.

Dee, who is also known for being a political activist, journalist and poet, as well as an award-winning actress, was the receipt of this year's Living Legend Award.

"It's times like these that I come to understand and appreciate profoundly the empowerment and promise, the responsibility in being deemed a legend," Dee said in her acceptance speech, according to the press release.

The award show, which celebrated the power and influence of black women, also honored producer and rap artist Missy Elliot, who was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Teresa Clarke, the founder of Africa.com, who was given the Trailblazer Award.

Sunday's event, hosted by actress Nia Long, also featured musical performances by Keri Hilson, Ciara and Shontelle, but the show stopper was from Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott & Ledisi.

Three R&B Divas Join Forces to Introduce:

Tamia, Deborah and Kelly creates: TDK

On Friday, September 18th in Hollywood, CA the three powerhouse vocalists, Tamia, Deborah Cox and Kelly Price announced The Queen's Projects - TDK. These three ladies are the industry's most talented vocalists in the genres of R&B, Soul and Pop. The trend setting ladies are currently promoting their new single "QUEEN.” This is a compilation of R&B and soul sounds, featuring original compositions as well as standards for all their loyal career long fans, new fans and all national and international music loving public. These ladies love for music has always captivated their audiences, and continues to leave them spellbound with each performance.

This project features the creative mind of super producer Anthony “Shep” Crawford (Boys to Men, Tamia, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Montel Jordan and many others). His goal was to “Highlight” the amazing talents individually while blending them together to unite for this mega project. This is a unique union that will not provide the music you have come to expect from these three “Super Star” acts, but will also focus on themes of female empowerment and reiterating “Every Woman is a QUEEN. “ The trio will tour to promote the album which is scheduled to drop the first quarter 2010. Look for these ladies in a city near you doing various activities and projects that promotes the health and vitality of women around the world.