Image courtesy of jessica Care Moore
by Amber Ogden, Staff Writer
Poet laureate, author, mother, activist and rock star—jessica Care moore wears many crowns, but perhaps her most potent title is that of a visionary. This Saturday, August 31st, she returns to The Fillmore Detroit to host the 20th annual Black Women Rock, a cultural cornerstone that amplifies Black women’s strength, creativity, and resilience in rock and roll. As the heartbeat of artistic empowerment, moore’s event is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of legacy, defiance, and unapologetic expression.
Two decades ago, moore founded Black Women Rock to provide a platform for Black women to confidently display their talents in diverse artistic fields. The event has evolved to encompass a wide range of creative expressions, including music, spoken word, visual art, and dance. This multi-dimensional experience has garnered attention from audiences far and wide, attracting people from various locations who come to celebrate and appreciate the exceptional artistry of these talented individuals.
“It’s a headliner show. Every woman on the show is a headliner. Every woman on the show has done arenas, like Kimberly Nichole, who has been on the road with Janelle Monae, and Nik West, who has been touring all year with Lenny Kravitz and Beyonce. So these women have seen big shows,” moore says.
The performers at Black Women Rock are not just talented artists but also dedicated activists and educators. They display their many talents on stage. This event gathers a diverse group of Black women and showcases the many roles and identities of entertainers.
“It’s really going to be a revival. It’s really a celebration of Black women, celebrating Black women in an unapologetic way.”
The highly anticipated lineup for this year’s event promises to deliver the same excitement as in previous years. Attendees can look forward to a rich and varied mix of established and up-and-coming artists who exemplify the essence of Black Women’s Rock. Among the artists set to grace the stage are the incredibly talented Steffanie Christi’an, the soulful Grace Gibson, and the captivating Joi.
This annual gathering honors Black women and their outstanding performances and seeks to preserve and celebrate their invaluable cultural contributions. More than just a talent showcase, this event fosters a supportive community and creates sustainable career opportunities for Black women in the creative industry.
The concert will feature a captivating fusion of soulful music, powerful spoken word presentations, and mesmerizing visual exhibits. This guarantees an evening filled with lasting entertainment and profound inspiration that attendees will remember.
“I actually love the work, and I love the women that I’m connected to. I love Joi, Stephanie and Kimberly, Melissa. Like I love these women, and I love what they stand for in the world, and who they are, and how they’ve influenced my life,” moore says emotionally.
And it doesn’t stop with the concert; it will be a week-long celebration starting Wednesday, August 28th, with the gallery reception of the art exhibit ‘UP ABOVE MY HEAD’, celebrating 20 years of Black Women’s Rock, with curators Sabrina Nelson, jessica Care moore, Sudani Shaah, Dayana Juarez, and Bri Hayes.
“My brother Khalil Muhammad has a beautiful new place called the Motivational Museum, where he’s doing mindfulness and meditation and writing in Hamtramck on Joseph Campau, a couple minutes from Detroit. We’re going to have an art opening, and Sabrina Nelson, one of my curators, is working with us. We’ve got some beautiful artists collaborating with us,” moore said.
“The name of the show is UP ABOVE MY HEAD’, which is a nod to Rosetta Tharpe. Betty Davis has been my North Star, so to speak; she’s been my inspiration for the show for 20 years. But I wanted to get some energy through Rosetta Tharpe, who actually creates music. A Black woman created rock and roll music, and so we’re paying homage to her through visual art.”
Moore’s steadfast commitment to amplifying the artistic representations of Black women is evident in every aspect of the event. Despite her challenges in gaining the support she needs, she remains determined to bring their voices and experiences to the forefront.
“Being a Black woman, it’s a struggle sometimes, for when you are walking in your power, which I am, when you know who you are, to find sisterhood is a big deal. So I’m celebrating sisterhood, and because I founded it, I created my sisterhood with this organization, and that’s one of my motivations,” moore said.
“Even when I didn’t get the funding I needed to do the concert, I was like, I’m still doing the concert, right? I’m doing it because I need it. It’s a healing and I know what it does for the audience, and I know what it does for me.”
Concertgoers can expect to get up close and personal with the performers and be blown away. “We’re gonna do a rock and roll concert, and people will get their mind blown back. That is the plan,” moore says.
“So you’ll be able to see the women, you’ll be able to feel the energy. I want them to feel it up close. So that’s the biggest difference: you’re going to be able to get closer to the artist in a way that we haven’t been able to before. And that’s what we wanted.”
We Are Scorpio’s (L) jessica Care moore and (R)Steffanie Christi’an
moore, a musical creative genius herself, recently released her debut self-titled album, ‘We Are Scorpio,’ with longtime rocker Steffanie Christi’an. Moore attributes her love for rock ‘n’ roll to her upbringing at St. Alphonsus, a predominantly white Catholic school in Dearborn. From a young age, she was surrounded by the music of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Patti Smith, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and even Rick Springfield, greatly influencing her musical preferences and tastes.
“I listen to rock and roll. I was literally just bouncing to Beasts of Burden by The Rolling Stones in my car,” moore laughs. “I listen to music by Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix.”
moore wants to continue demonstrating what opportunities this culture offers Black women and what possibilities exist beyond what is typically available in the mainstream. The show’s primary goal is to highlight the existence of these women and emphasize that there is a place for you, Black women.
“I want to show them (the audience) goddesses back-to-back, goddesses, shapeshifters who don’t find themselves connecting with these other women artists out here who deserve space too. Everybody’s different, but we just need some balance, so I’m bringing some balance to the industry for Black women’s voices. And I’ve been doing it for 20 years.”
Tickets for Black Women Rock are still available, but not for long, given the significance of this year’s milestone. Floor standing-room tickets are only $20.00 with code BWR20. Seats will be available for those who prefer to sit; however, this concert is sure to keep everyone who attends on their feet.
UP ABOVE MY HEAD
Gallery Reception
August 28th, 6pm-9pm
Motivational Museum Contemporary Art Gallery
9342 Joseph Campau
Hamtramck, MI 48212
Admission: Free
Black Women Rock Concert
August 31st, 7pm
The Fillmore Detroit
54 W Elizabeth St,
Detroit, MI 48201
Tickets: $20, with code BWR20.
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