Paying Homage & Amplifying Emerging Voices! The Duke Ellington School of the Arts to House the 2025 HBCU Honors

This Thanksgiving weekend, BET will once again shine a spotlight on the legacy, leadership, and cultural impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with the third annual HBCU Honors television special! Scheduled to premiere Sunday, November 30, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her, the event promises an inspiring blend of storytelling, celebration, and recognition of individuals whose lives reflect the spirit and excellence of HBCU education and achievement.

The Honors return in 2025, with Emmy-nominated comedian and actress Kym Whitley serving as host. Whitley, a proud Fisk University alumna, brings her natural warmth and humor to an evening intended to be inviting, sincere, and firmly founded in community pride. The special will be taped at the illustrious and highly regarded Duke Ellington School of the Arts!

At its core, HBCU Honors recognizes innovators, community leaders, and prominent people whose efforts have favorably influenced culture, industry, and the community. The evening's honorees include First Lady of Gospel and Shaw University alumna Pastor Shirley Caesar, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Grammy-nominated artist, activist, and Southern University alum David Banner, who will receive the Cultural Impact Award; and Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of The ActOne Group and a North Carolina A&T State University alumna, who will be presented with the Visionary Founder Award.

All of the ceremony's honorees are a direct reflection and authentic representation of the different facets of HBCU influence, from the spiritual and artistic to entrepreneurial! Together, they tell a story of how Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to produce leaders with global reach and enduring impact.

New initiatives will also accompany this year's special. One of them is the HBCU Rising Star National Talent Search. This highly anticipated nationwide competition invites HBCU students to showcase their talents for a chance to perform at the ceremony. Current finalists included Johanna Clarke from Bennett College, David Henderson from Coppin State University, and Ronald Johnson from Morgan State University. The world will meet the winner on Sunday night during the ceremony. This idea not only brings fresh artistry into a program rooted in legacy and celebration but also reinforces the show's overall objective of amplifying student voices and highlighting talent from across the country!

More than an awards ceremony, HBCU Honors has quickly evolved into a cultural moment—a time to concentrate on how Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to define creative, spiritual, and entrepreneurial paths for students, graduates, and peers. With homage to former trailblazers and emerging voices of the next generation, the HBCU Honors proves to be a celebration that will provide impact for years to come.

Visit https://hbcuhonors.org/ for more information.