Tuesday, March 19th, didn’t feel like any other day. No, the air was filled with glitter and gold, emanating from the attendees of Urban Word NYC’s 2nd Annual Black Girl Magic Ball (BGMBall).

This event took place at the Dumbo Loft in Brooklyn, and it was more than a ball. It was an evening where I witnessed the uplifting and celebration of Black women. It brought me back to my childhood, when my aunts and grandma would take me to special events. Black women would be dressed in their finest and carry themselves as if they were walking on air. The BGMBall was no different.

Artist: Tribal Face AdornmentsPhoto Creds: @blackgirlmagicball — Artist: Tribal Face Adornments
Photo Creds: @blackgirlmagicball

Mahogany Browne, founder and creator of the BGMBALL, started the event last year as a book release party for her book, “Black Girl Magic” (Roaring Book Press). The California-born poet, author, educator and activist, however transformed it to become an event celebrating the Black women that inspire her.

Familiar faces were spotted throughout the night, including actress and activist Indya Moore, actress Padma Lakshmi, singer Madison Mcferrin, and more. However, the honorees stole the show. They were honored for spreading Black girl magic in their own unique ways.

Founder of BGMB, Mahogany Browne, and honoree, Jamila Woods

Jamila Woods was honored for her ability to communicate powerful messages within her music and poetry. She performed some of her classic songs and even debuted her latest, “Eartha.” A song inspired by Eartha Kitt’s response to an interviewer’s question on whether she would be willing to compromise within a relationship. (“All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story”).

Glory Edim, founder of Well Read Black Girl (WRBG), and author of a book by the same name was also honored. Her WRBG collective is a book club designed to celebrate the phenomenal Black women on bookshelves. The event also highlighted other women who are trailblazers and magical with their crafts.

The night continued on with the DJ dropping old school R&B classics that made you want to get up and move. It was a night of celebration and there wasn’t a face in the room that wasn’t smiling.

I could feel it. There was so much love to give and to be received.

Thank you to Mahogany Bowne, Urban Word NYC, and everyone else for bringing Black Girl Magic into women’s history month. We were more than grateful to be in the room and to be apart of the celebration.

Urban Word NYC serves aspiring young writers from across New York City’s five boroughs. UW also serves youth in homeless shelters or alternative incarceration facilities and hosts events for young people in a range of community centers, religious spaces and commercial venues across the city

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