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Refreshed, Seen & Amplified! A Night Was Beyond an Awards Event— What You SHOULDN'T Have Missed During the HBCU Honors
- XBlazeMagazine
- Dec 10, 2025
- 3 min read
The 2025 HBCU Honors aired on November 30 on BET and BET Her, marking the third year of the televised celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the people shaped by them. Filmed at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., the program blended formal recognition with live performances and student-driven moments that reflected the depth and range of talent within the HBCU community.
Hosted by actress and comedian Kym Whitley, the show featured three honorees whose careers have been shaped by their HBCU experience. Pastor Shirley Caesar, a gospel icon, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her decades of dedication as a singer and minister. Her tribute segment, which included reflections on faith, education, and endurance, received one of the most emotional responses from the audience of the evening.
David Banner received the Cultural Impact Award in appreciation of his work as an artist and activist. His remarks focused on economic empowerment and ownership, which resonated with many of the students and young professionals in attendance. Business leader Janice Bryant Howroyd accepted the Visionary Founder Award, acknowledging her position as the founder of The ActOne Group and the first Black woman to develop a billion-dollar staffing firm. She discussed persistence and credited her time at North Carolina A&T with influencing her leadership style.
Music remained a constant presence throughout the evening. Raheem DeVaughn gave one of the broadcast's most talked-about R&B performances, generating a powerful reaction from the audience. MAJOR., Tarrey Torae, and Gabby Samone followed with sets that combined contemporary sounds with classic soul, while gospel performances added profound emotions to the tribute pieces. Student organizations were also extensively featured, including Howard University's OOH LALA Dance Team and the Morgan State University Choir.
However, one of the most closely watched moments came with the unveiling of the HBCU Rising Star National Talent Search winner, Ronald Johnson of Morgan State University! True to the energy of amplifying emerging voices, finalists Johanna Clarke of Bennett College and David Henderson of Coppin State University also performed during the special! Students participated in the HBCU Honors Media Futures Fellowship, which reinforced the focus on student opportunities and visibility while also recognizing established leaders. They assisted with production, digital media, and event management. Organizers have stated that the program is part of a larger effort to connect HBCU students directly with opportunities in media and live-event production.
Overall, the performances, student showcases, and tributes elevated the 2025 HBCU Honors beyond an awards event. The event served as both a national stage for young talent and a reminder of the continued influence of HBCUs on culture, industry, and public life.
Forty-eight hours after the special was taped at Duke Ellington, select members of the press were invited to a private press conference with honorees, the program's founder, and featured performers, who shared thoughtful reflections on what the celebration meant to them and the HBCU community. The topic expanded beyond the stage, with speakers discussing legacy, responsibility, and the role of HBCUs in creating the next generation.
Several attendees emphasized the value of visibility and access, noting that the show has expanded beyond its annual broadcast. It has evolved into a platform that unites alumni and students across generations while emphasizing the importance of year-round support for HBCUs through mentorship, investment, and narrative.
During the press conference, we were able to speak one-on-one with performer Tarrey Torae, who explained how she was impacted by her HBCU and how she extended that "HBCU touch" to others around her!
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