Newark, NJ – Black Girl’s Rock premiered on BET Tuesday August 22nd. Newark girls gathered at Taste Venue downtown Newark in celebration of the awards show. Chris Miss, a Newark based blogger conceptualized the idea after holding a short instagram social media campaign declaring ‘Newark Girl Rock’ #Newarkgirlsrock. After learning of Black Girls Rock being held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) just blocks away from her house only weeks before they were set to record. The blogger felt Newark girls were ignored and expressed much of this in her interview with Thecletter.com telling Keyaira Boon “I’m not trying to tear them down or come at them in any negative or disrespectful way but by coming into our city every single year… maybe after the first year I could understand, but after years of people not feeling included… at that point it’s a conscious decision. You’re intentionally leaving us out and I want to know why.”

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BLACK GIRLS ROCK || Black Girls Rock in Newark too, right? I mean if you didn’t know , @blackgirlsrock happens every year , right here in Newark, NJ @NJPAC. I live two blocks away. Every year I don’t know about it until see it on tv . One year , I was invited by a friend to be a seat filler for @janellemonae’s performance , but wasn’t there for the actual show. I wasn’t invited because I’m a BLACK GIRL who rocks in Newark. I just happened to be there for a portion because I knew someone who knew someone . Honestly not over watching MICHELLE OBAMA on TV , at NJPAC, knowing I was right around the corner. I know there are a BUNCH of BLACK GIRLS who ROCK right here in this city so why are we not intentionally included? Why aren’t our high school girls and our middle school girls a part of a movement that will allow them to be in the room where they would be amongst the greatness we’re encouraging them to be? Literally , IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY? Any volunteer opportunites? Anyway they can intentionally be in the room? Why aren’t the non-profit organizations who are doing great work in the city, and saving lives daily, given seats for their programs to attend? Is the food backstage catered by our restaurants? Are our media mavens interviewing on the red carpets? Over the last week, I’ve talked to dozens women from the city , and everyone feels the same. LEFT OUT. Why are the women who are the fabric of this community feeling like they are intentionally being looked over and excluded? The irony of googling Black Girls Rock today and seeing a picture of me along with @thecgirlinc front and center , I knew I had to say something. Because we have a voice, and a platform , and this movement is about using it…know that we are here , and we have been here . @djbeverlybond , we love @blackgirlsrock, we support you…but , WE ROCK, and we should be there, too. I asked a few of my friends to send over some women in the city they look up to… so here are some Black Girls in Newark who ROCK. If you are a black girl who rocks here, or you know one @ them! And in the very spirit of BLACK GIRLS ROCK ….we’ll acknowledge us, if no one else will . #BLACKGIRLSROCKNEWARK.

A post shared by C H R I S ( MISS ) BRIGHT (@chrismiss_) on Aug 3, 2017 at 7:16pm PDT

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Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed she was given 2 tickets to the iconic show. Chris then decided that bringing the experience of BGR to Newark by hosting a viewing party would naturally be the next step in spreading black girl magic.

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Girls from all over Newark, NJ and the surrounding area came out to Taste Venue. The place was packed with beautiful black women from all walks of life. There were entrepreneurs, models, bloggers, designers, artists and even a few kids sprinkled in who all came together to watch the Black Girls Rock awards show in the good company of like minded women.

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There were giveaways in between each commercial break. Some of the giveaways included  a gift bag full of beauty products from Urban Girl Magazine and a bike giveaway by Girls on Bikes .

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The viewing party was Dj’s by @Kidnapsnap. Drinks were flowing and the music was jumping, good conversation and live music filled the room.

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