The 2025 HBCU Honors Presented by BET returns this Thanksgiving weekend for an inspiring celebration of Black excellence, leadership, and legacy.
The nationally televised event premieres Sunday, November 30, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her, honoring three extraordinary leaders who exemplify the excellence and impact born from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Fisk University alumna Kym Whitley returns as host following the show’s breakout 2024 debut, which ranked among BET’s Top 10 Primetime Cable Telecasts among Black viewers and generated viral cultural moments celebrating HBCU pride and achievement.
“Hosting HBCU Honors again feels like coming home,” said the Emmy-nominated actress and comedian in the press release.
“This show is a joyful reminder of everything our schools represent—faith, excellence, community, and legacy. Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to celebrate what we’re thankful for: the people and institutions that continue to build Black excellence, generation after generation,” she added.
Meet the 2025 Honorees
David Banner – Cultural Impact Award: Southern University graduate David Banner has built a dynamic career merging creativity, business, and social justice. The Jackson, Mississippi native owns a multimedia company producing purpose-driven projects that amplify authentic Black stories. The Grammy-nominated artist, producer, actor, and activist is also a humanitarian at heart—leading relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and emerging as a beacon of leadership and community empowerment.
Pastor Shirley Caesar – Lifetime Achievement Award: Globally celebrated as the “First Lady of Gospel,” Caesar uplifted audiences for more than six decades with her unmatched voice and ministry. The Shaw University alumna and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has released over 40 albums, earned 11 GRAMMY Awards, and received the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. Caesar currently serves as Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Durham, N.C.
Meet the 2025 Honorees: L-R: David Banner (Southern University), Pastor Shirley Caesar (Shaw University), and Janice Bryant Howroyd (North Carolina A&T State University); Courtesy of Getty Images and Image Source
Janice Bryant Howroyd – Visionary Founder Award: The Philanthropist and entrepreneur is a proud alumna of North Carolina A&T State University, who made history as the first African American woman to own a billion-dollar enterprise. As Founder and CEO of The ActOne Group, she leads operations in more than 30 countries, serving over 17,000 clients worldwide. Her groundbreaking leadership and dedication to mentorship continue to inspire women and entrepreneurs globally—embodying the very essence of HBCU excellence.
A Night of Inspiration and Cultural Pride
Filmed at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., the 2025 ceremony introduces two exciting new initiatives:
HBCU Honors Rising Star National Talent Search – A nationwide search for emerging HBCU musical talent, with the winner performing live during the broadcast. Judges include Tony Award-winning actor Myles Frost (Bowie State University), American Idol finalist Gabby Samone, Grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn (Coppin State University), and Shawn Williams, Music Director of HBCU Honors.
HBCU Honors Media Futures Fellowship – A workforce development initiative offering hands-on production, storytelling, and marketing experience to students from Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Missouri, and Spelman College.
Celebrating a Legacy of Purpose and Pride
Founded and executive produced by Michelle M. Bailey, a proud Spelman College alumna, HBCU Honors celebrates and preserves the enduring legacy of HBCUs—institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
“We’re in a defining moment where the legacy of HBCUs deserves not only to be preserved but amplified,” said Bailey. “Our return to BET celebrates the unity, pride, and progress that define HBCU excellence—the same excellence that nurtured me at my beloved alma mater, Spelman.”
Leading the production team are Michele Ghee (Board Chair, The HBCU Honors Foundation), Malik Buie (Morgan State University), Dorinda Walker, Sam Walker II, and Quan Lateef-Hill (Howard University), who also serves as Showrunner. The production is powered by RedSummer TV, renowned for delivering world-class live events that capture the spirit of culture and community.
Be sure to tune in to BET and BET Her on Sunday, November 30, at 8 PM ET/PT to celebrate HBCUs, the visionaries, and the trailblazers shaping the future of Black excellence.
For more information, visit www.hbcuhonors.org and follow HBCU Honors on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for exclusive updates.
