The BET Honors were established in 2008 by the Black Entertainment Television network to respect the lives and achievements of African-American luminaries. The awards will be presented annually and broadcast on BET during Black History Month.
| BET Honors | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Celebrates Black Excellence |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | All celebrities |
| First awarded | 2008 |
| Last awarded | 2016 |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | BET |
Ceremony Location edit
The inaugural ceremonies, in 2008, were held at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Hosts edit
Comedian Cedric the Entertainer hosted the first BET Honors in 2008.
Actress Gabrielle Union has hosted the BET Honors consecutively for the past five years
2008 edit
Honorees edit
- Alicia Keys (Entertainment Award)
- Tyra Banks (Media Award)
- Dr. Cornel West, University Professor in the Center for African American Studies (Award for Education)
- Richard Parsons (Corporate Citizen Award)
- The Honorable Maxine Waters (Public Service Award)
- CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd (Entrepreneur Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2009 edit
Honorees edit
- Magic Johnson (Corporate Citizen Award)
- Tyler Perry (Media Award)
- B. Smith (Entrepreneur Award)
- Mary J. Blige (Entertainer Award)
- Judith Jamison (Education Award)
- James Clyburn (Public Service Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2010 edit
List of Honorees edit
- Whitney Houston (Entertainers Award)
- Queen Latifah (Media Award)
- Sean “Diddy” Combs (Entrepreneur Award)
- Ruth Simmons (Education Award)
- Keith Black (Public Service Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2011 edit
Honorees edit
- Jamie Foxx (Entertainer)
- Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts Award)
- Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts Award)
- Iman (Service Award)
- Lonnie Bunch (Education Award)
- Linda Johnson-Rice (Media Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2012 edit
Honorees edit
- Maya Angelou (Literary Arts Award)
- Stevie Wonder (Musical Arts Award)
- Mariah Carey (Entertainer Award)
- Spike Lee (Media Award)
- Beverly Kearney (Education Award)
- Tuskegee Airmen (Service Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2013 edit
Honorees edit
- Halle Berry (Service Award)
- T.D. Jakes (Education Award)
- Chaka Khan (Musical Arts Award)
- Lisa Leslie (Athletics Award)
- Clarence Avant (Entrepreneur Award)
2014 edit
Honorees edit
- Kenneth Chenault (Corporate Citizen Award)
- Aretha Franklin (Musical Arts Award)
- Carrie Mae Weems (Visual Arts)
- Ice Cube (Entertainer Award)
- Berry Gordy (Entrepreneur Award)
- Nelson Mandela (Leadership Award)
2015 edit
Comedian Wayne Brady hosted.
Honorees edit
- Kanye West (Visionary Award)
- Usher (Musical Arts Award)
- Phylicia Rashad (Theatrical Arts Award)
- Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole (Education Award)
- Kwame Simmons (Digital Special Recognition)
- John W. Thompson (Technology and Business Award)
Performers and Presenters edit
2016 edit
Comedian Arsenio Hall hosted the final ceremony.
Honorees edit
- Lee Daniels (The BET Honors Television and Film Award)
- Patti LaBelle (Musical Arts Award)
- LA Reid (Business Entertainment Award)
- Eric Holder (Public Service Award)
- Mellody Hobson (Corporate Citizen Award)