Myvoicedc- Meet DJ Beverly Bond, Founder Black Girls Rock!, Inc.

New York City born and Maryland bred; DJ Beverly Bond was raised in St. Mary’s County, Maryland prior to her success as a fashion model and DJ. Beverly emerged into the music scene, almost a decade ago and went on to become one of the most sought after DJ’s, as well as the only female DJ of NYC’s own Heavy Hitters. The former DJ and philanthropist cites Nas as one of her favorite artists, “Nas stays on the list, Jay, obviously. The standard has lowered a little bit.” But for Beverly, life was more than the music. As a reaction to the commonplace images of women in hip hop videos, magazines and other visual media, DJ Beverly Bond founded Black Girls Rock!, Inc. – a mentoring outreach program targeting “at risk” teenage women of color.

This Saturday, October 17th, the 4th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards will be honoring the likes of Naomi Campbell, Raven Simone, Sonia Sanchez, Mary J. Blige and more at this star studded fundraising event. This dynamic and empowering affair will be held at New York Times Center, and is hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King. DJ Beverly Bond took a few moments to share with My Voice DC about the project, and how it all got started:

How did you break into the DJ scene?

When I became a DJ – it just happened. I didn’t pursue it as a career; it was just something that I loved to do. I played music that I wanted to play. What I didn’t have was the pressure of being the “hip hop DJ”. I didn’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations. It was always a well-rounded experience – I had a particular way that made it all make sense.

As a woman in the industry, particularly in hip-hop, women sometimes have a harder fight to prove themselves than men. Did you find this to be hard in your transition from model to DJ?

I came into the game trying to be the best I could be. I was already hot before I came out of the house. At the first club spun at, couldn’t turn the system on. They started to make jokes until I actually played. Then they didn’t have any more jokes. I just had to prove to myself - I wasn’t going to play myself.

What sparked the idea for Black Girls Rock?

Black women in general. We were the victims of not being recognized at all. There were also a lot of degrading and dehumanizing lyrics pertaining to women – Some of them came from our women - women of color. The idea first started as a t-shirt. But then I realized there were just so many incredible women at the top of their games and they needed to be recognized. Some of the few representations that we did have – the woman was just like a prop or had some type of stereotypical role. Or we were completely absent. I wanted people to embrace how diverse and dynamic women of color we are.

Are you very hands on with BGR, Inc.?

Damn, it’s damn there a one-woman show! It’s so funny – I just took the celebrity and put it on Black Girls Rock. That’s how people started to recognize it. Although it’s still very much an underground movement. Everything is hands on. You have to be that hands on with something you love – you can’t expect someone else to make it happen from you.

Who are some black women that inspired you?

Of course my mother and grandmother, as well as the women who were in my life. I would also have to say women like Sheila E, Grace Jones, Iman, Angela Davis, Vanity [I loved her!], Oprah, Debbie Allen, and Thelma from Good Times - Edgy women who represented at the top of their game have always inspired me.

What advice do you have for girls who are trying to pursue their dreams?

Don’t take anything for granted, don’t strive for excellence. Know your craft. Technically good at what you’re good. Whatever it is that you do – There’s so way people that will not recognize you. You may become a program director for a radio station. Always strive for excellence. They think it’s easy, people think you can become instant stars. Overnight success stories end.

Follow Beverly Bond on Twitter

www.twitter.com/beverlybond

For more information on Black Girls Rock! Log on to:

www.blackgirlsrockinc.com