Rihanna, Rhimes & More At Black Girls Rock Event

“Hopefully one day I’ll be raising my own little black girl who rocks,” she said.

Others did just that: Rhimes, the creator behind TV hits “Grey’s Anatomy,” ”Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” brought her daughter to the event “to sit in a room with you and feel the energy that’s here.”

“Because she and you are the ones who count, the ones who matter,” said Rhimes. “It’s the minute someone starts giving you awards, you are more history than future. But your slates are blank, your paths are clear and your stories are whatever you decide they’re going to be.”

Grammy-winning R&B singer Monica brought her daughter onstage at the end of her performance. Other performers include Brandy, Andra Day, Jazmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Imani Uzuri.

Gladys Knight, who performed a medley of her hits as the audience stood up and danced, was also honored.

“It is the best award, the greatest trophy that I’ve ever received,” she said. “More than a Grammy. More than so many other awards that I’ve gotten that I appreciate.”