The pink carpet was rolled out in Newark, NJ to continue sending an inspirational message of girl power Saturday night (Oct. 26) when “Black Girls Rock!” taped its annual award show.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center was filled with dozens of celebrities to join in celebration with music, laughter, tears and very deserving honorees. Queen Latifah and Venus Williams were among the highly distinguished honorees for the evening.

“The name says it all. Black girls do rock. We need to own that, to live it,” Queen Latifah said on the pink carpet. “It’s from my peers, from my ladies. I’m happy it’s happening in Newark I was born here, and I always try to come home, to let everyone know in Newark, Irvington, East Orange, Jersey City, that we can dream, and we can make those dreams reality.”

The stage was hit with heavy hitter talent as Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey, Janelle Monae and many others graced the stage.

“Black Girls Rock!” was created by Beverly Bond in 2006 to promote positive images of women of color. The 2013 ceremony is the eighth production and will be the fourth to be broadcasted on television.

Catch the ceremony on BET Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. – Alley Olivier