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.
Ceremony Location The inaugural ceremonies, in 2008, were held at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Hosts 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
Honorees 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 Stevie Wonder John Legend Gladys Knight Wyclef Jean Jill Scott Brian McKnight Ne-Yo Raheem DeVaughn Blair Underwood Danny Glover Kerry Washington Idris Elba Hill Harper Vivica A. Fox
2009
Honorees 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 Stevie Wonder Yolanda Adams Anita Baker Monica Joss Stone Ne-Yo Queen Latifah Anthony Hamilton Keyshia Cole Whitney Houston
2010
List of Honorees 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 Jennifer Hudson Mary J. Blige India.Arie Patti LaBelle Stevie Wonder Trey Songz Jazmine Sullivan Kim Burrell
2011
Honorees 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 Ne-Yo Nicole Ari Parker Boris Kodjoe Chick Corea Lalah Hathaway Keyshia Cole Tank & Guy Naturally 7 Trey Songz Yolanda Adams Marsha Ambrosius
2012
Honorees 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 Michelle Obama Willow Smith Aretha Franklin Common Cuba Gooding Jr. Terrence Howard Cicely Tyson Kelly Rowland Jill Scott John Singleton Jennifer Hudson Ledisi Patti LaBelle Anthony Hamilton Luke James Nick Cannon and his son Moroccan Cannon
2013
Honorees Halle Berry (Service Award) T.D. Jakes (Education Award) Chaka Khan (Musical Arts Award) Lisa Leslie (Athletics Award) Clarence Avant (Entrepreneur Award)
2014
Honorees 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 Comedian Wayne Brady hosted.
Honorees 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 Ne-Yo Trey Songz Ben Vareen K. Michelle Dame Dash Patti LaBelle Mary J. Blige Bobby Brown Charlie Wilson Glynn Turman Diahann Carroll Anthony Anderson
2016 Comedian Arsenio Hall hosted the final ceremony.
Honorees 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)
Performers and Presenters Usher Ledisi Monica Babyface Fantasia The Deele Eddie Levert Toni Braxton Jussie Smollett Jazmine Sullivan Gabourey Sidibe Terrence Howard Raheem DeVaughn
Notes
External links Official BET website Official BET Honors 2008 website Official BET Honors 2009 website