Photos: The Power of Black Culture

Actress Anika Noni Rose and others offer insight.

Ladies of the Arts - “The Power of Black Culture: Inspiriting Our Community” session during BET Networks’ Leading Women Defined summit brought together some of the greatest minds and talents in arts and entertainment. Panelists including award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose and American Ballet soloist Misty Copeland talked critically about the role of Black culture in contemporary society and offered perspective for how to cultivate the next generation of inspiring talent.—Britt Middleton Misty Copeland, Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and Anika Noni Rose serve as panelists during the “The Power of Black Culture: Inspiriting Our Community” session.  (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Ladies of the Arts - “The Power of Black Culture: Inspiriting Our Community” session during BET Networks’ Leading Women Defined summit brought together some of the greatest minds and talents in arts and entertainment. Panelists including award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose and American Ballet soloist Misty Copeland talked critically about the role of Black culture in contemporary society and offered perspective for how to cultivate the next generation of inspiring talent.—Britt Middleton Misty Copeland, Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and Anika Noni Rose serve as panelists during the “The Power of Black Culture: Inspiriting Our Community” session.  (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Tricia Rose Moderates  - Brown University scholar Tricia Rose moderated the discussion, which covered topics including how art ensures a thriving community, the role the arts play in solving community issues, and encouraging the next generation of artists. Rose is a professor of Africana studies at the esteemed university. (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Tricia Rose Moderates  - Brown University scholar Tricia Rose moderated the discussion, which covered topics including how art ensures a thriving community, the role the arts play in solving community issues, and encouraging the next generation of artists. Rose is a professor of Africana studies at the esteemed university. (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Cultural Leaders - In addition to her presiding role at The Studio Museum, Thelma Golden (left), is a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and was appointed by President Obama in 2010. (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Cultural Leaders - In addition to her presiding role at The Studio Museum, Thelma Golden (left), is a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and was appointed by President Obama in 2010. (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Powerful Discussion - Anika Noni Rose has appeared in groundbreaking roles including Dreamgirls, For Colored Girls and as the voice behind Disney’s first Black Princess, Tiana, in The Princess and the Frog. “I think it’s important to take on roles that explore social issues, roles that explore things going on around us. [I do that] either because the issue is not being spoken about and needs to have light shed on it, or because it’s being spoken about a lot, but there aren’t a lot of representations about it,” Rose, who has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, told BET.com at the summit.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Powerful Discussion - Anika Noni Rose has appeared in groundbreaking roles including Dreamgirls, For Colored Girls and as the voice behind Disney’s first Black Princess, Tiana, in The Princess and the Frog. “I think it’s important to take on roles that explore social issues, roles that explore things going on around us. [I do that] either because the issue is not being spoken about and needs to have light shed on it, or because it’s being spoken about a lot, but there aren’t a lot of representations about it,” Rose, who has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, told BET.com at the summit.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Pressing Issues - Among issues needing more attention is that of mental health in the Black community, Rose said. “We are very quiet about the subject of mental health and mental illness. In order to have a healing environment, we must continue to talk about it,” she said.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Pressing Issues - Among issues needing more attention is that of mental health in the Black community, Rose said. “We are very quiet about the subject of mental health and mental illness. In order to have a healing environment, we must continue to talk about it,” she said.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Encouraging Future Generations - Golden added that encourage the next generation of artists is another way to promote social change. “I think it’s important to nurture our artists so that they are able to grow their craft. Often young artists are discouraged because people wonder how that might become a career and how they’ll make it and it is hard,” she told BET.com during the conference.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Encouraging Future Generations - Golden added that encourage the next generation of artists is another way to promote social change. “I think it’s important to nurture our artists so that they are able to grow their craft. Often young artists are discouraged because people wonder how that might become a career and how they’ll make it and it is hard,” she told BET.com during the conference.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Beauty and Grace - Misty Copeland (right) shares a laugh with Tricia Rose. Copeland began her ballet studies at the age of 14 and has been dazzling audiences ever since. In September 2000, she joined the American Ballet Theatre and was appointed soloist in August 2007. She has appeared in dozens of performances with the company, including Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet.  (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Beauty and Grace - Misty Copeland (right) shares a laugh with Tricia Rose. Copeland began her ballet studies at the age of 14 and has been dazzling audiences ever since. In September 2000, she joined the American Ballet Theatre and was appointed soloist in August 2007. She has appeared in dozens of performances with the company, including Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet.  (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Supporting Black Artists - Don’t think that you need to spend a lot of money in order to support up-and-coming artists, Golden said, adding that a small gesture is just as beneficial. “Buy a book, go see a movie, go see people perform when they are in plays,” Golden said. “Support is not just philanthropy, it is also the physical, actual being there and witnessing and supporting the presentation of the work itself.” (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Supporting Black Artists - Don’t think that you need to spend a lot of money in order to support up-and-coming artists, Golden said, adding that a small gesture is just as beneficial. “Buy a book, go see a movie, go see people perform when they are in plays,” Golden said. “Support is not just philanthropy, it is also the physical, actual being there and witnessing and supporting the presentation of the work itself.” (Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Making a Difference  - For new artists looking to make a difference, Golden suggested following your passion and pursue it through an art school or conservatory education.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Making a Difference  - For new artists looking to make a difference, Golden suggested following your passion and pursue it through an art school or conservatory education.(Photo: Phelan Marc / BET)