A Night of HBCU Glory: Celebrating Legends, Leaders & Rising Stars
As the holiday season approaches and families gather in gratitude, BET and BET Her prepare to deliver a cultural moment rooted in joy, legacy, and Black academic power. The 2025 HBCU Honors Presented by BET returns on Sunday, November 30 at 8 PM ET/PT, amplifying the incredible impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the generations of leaders shaped by their halls. This year, Snubb3d Magazine takes you behind the celebration — a night of praise, purpose, and powerful storytelling.
Hosted once again by Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, producer, and proud Fisk alumna Kym Whitley, the third annual ceremony stands as one of the most important televised tributes to Black excellence. Last year’s telecast soared among BET’s top primetime broadcasts, proving that audiences are eager — hungry — for a show that feels like homecoming, reunion, and revival all in one.
“Hosting HBCU Honors again feels like coming home,” Whitley says, a sentiment shared by millions who understand the brilliance that lives within HBCU culture.
This year’s roster of honorees reflects the soul of the HBCU experience: faith, creativity, service, and unapologetic leadership.
David Banner: Cultural Impact Award
A Southern University powerhouse, David Banner has long been a blueprint for what it looks like to stand in purpose. From Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum success to notable acting roles — including his presence on BET’s The Family Business — Banner is a storyteller, creator, and cultural architect. His company, A Banner Vision, continues to elevate and humanize Black narratives while his activism, including his frontline leadership during Hurricane Katrina, affirms his commitment to community. Banner represents the merger of art and responsibility — a true HBCU-made force.
Pastor Shirley Caesar: Lifetime Achievement Award
There are legends, and then there is Pastor Shirley Caesar — the First Lady of Gospel. A proud Shaw University alumna with a career spanning more than six decades, her 11 GRAMMY Awards and countless classics shaped generations. Whether in the pulpit of Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church or behind a microphone proclaiming praise, Pastor Caesar continues to ignite joy. Her viral “You Name It” moment remains one of Thanksgiving’s most replayed, reimagined blessings — a testament to her cross-generational impact and enduring excellence.
Janice Bryant Howroyd: Visionary Founder Award
As the first African American woman to build and own a billion-dollar enterprise, Janice Bryant Howroyd embodies the power of ambition fueled by purpose. The ActOne Group CEO and North Carolina A&T alumna has become a global symbol of innovation, mentorship, and business brilliance. Her leadership spans industries and continents, but her heart remains rooted in service — particularly in championing equity and opportunity for women and entrepreneurs of color.
A New Era of Opportunity: Rising Stars & Media Futures
HBCU Honors expands its mission this year with two groundbreaking initiatives.
The HBCU Honors Rising Star National Talent Search invites HBCU students nationwide to submit performance videos for the chance to perform live on the Honors stage. Judged by industry leaders including Tony Award winner Myles Frost, American Idol standout Gabby Samone, GRAMMY-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn, and Music Director Shawn Williams, this talent search becomes a direct pipeline to national visibility.
Meanwhile, the HBCU Honors Media Futures Fellowship ushers in the next wave of creators and storytellers. Students from Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Missouri, and Spelman College will sharpen their skills in production, marketing, and narrative development — ensuring HBCU stories continue to be told from the inside out.
A Celebration Rooted in Purpose
Founded by Michelle M. Bailey, a proud Spelman alumna, HBCU Honors stands as an intentional love letter to Black institutions that have shaped the nation. This year’s show is taped at the historic Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., aligning perfectly with the mission to elevate creativity, culture, and education.
“As HBCUs continue to shape our social, artistic, and professional landscapes,” Bailey shares, “Thanksgiving weekend felt like the perfect moment to honor the legacy that raised us.”
With production led by a powerhouse lineup — including Malik Buie (Morgan State), Dorinda Walker, Sam Walker II, Quan Lateef-Hill (Howard University), and guided by Foundation Board Chair Michele Ghee — the 2025 HBCU Honors promises to be more than an awards show. It’s a cultural moment. A spiritual recharge. A reminder of the brilliance that lives in Black communities and the institutions that have always nurtured it.
A Night of Excellence Awaits
Tune in on Sunday, November 30 at 8 PM ET/PT as BET and BET Her premiere a night filled with performances, tributes, and unforgettable moments celebrating the past, present, and future of HBCU excellence.
Because when HBCUs win — we all win.
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