Washington, D.C. pulsed with anticipation on November 20th as the 3rd Annual HBCU Honors took over the Duke Ellington School of the Arts—bold, Black, and steeped in legacy. Even before the blue carpet came into view, the energy was unmistakable: alumni pins gleamed, sorority calls rang through the halls, and cameras flashed like stadium lights. The message was clear: HBCUs are more than institutions—they are the bedrock of culture, legacy, and possibility. WLIT 106’s Autumn Joi Live brought her signature flair as host of the blue carpet and media room, keeping spirits high throughout the evening.
Kym Whitley, Emmy-nominated comedian and proud Fisk alum, returned as host, infusing the ceremony with warmth and wisdom. “Faith, excellence, community, legacy,” she declared—words that set the tone for a night devoted to honoring the past while inspiring the future.
This year’s honorees reflected the transformative impact of HBCUs:
David Banner received the Cultural Impact Award, recognized for fusing creativity with activism and moving culture forward through his words and actions.
Pastor Shirley Caesar was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. With a career spanning six decades, eleven Grammys, and over forty albums, her influence in gospel music is unmatched—her presence lit up the room like a sunrise hymn.
Janice Bryant Howroyd accepted the Visionary Founder Award. As the first Black woman to build and own a billion-dollar enterprise, her story is one of relentless brilliance and trailblazing achievement.
Beyond the awards, HBCU Honors expanded its mission this year with the Rising Star National Talent Search and the Media Futures Fellowship, creating new pathways for students to step into storytelling, production, and performance. These platforms are more than recognition—they are blueprints for the next generation of Black excellence.
In a time when the legacy of HBCUs is too often overlooked, this event reaffirmed their place at the center of cultural history and progress. Black excellence is not bound by time—HBCU Honors proved it once more.
The full broadcast premieres Thanksgiving weekend, Sunday, November 30th at 8 PM ET on BET and BET Her. This is a night that commands a standing ovation.
