NEW YORK, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks kicks off the inaugural
festivities in Washington, D.C., with the second annual BET HONORS on
Saturday, January 17 and concludes with BET's first-ever Inaugural Ball on
Tuesday, January 20.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )
Hosted by world renowned actress Gabrielle Union, THE BET HONORS will
celebrate legendary songstress Mary J. Blige (Entertainment), groundbreaking
filmmaker Tyler Perry (Media), celebrated dancer and choreographer Judith
Jamison (Education), businessman, philanthropist and basketball legend Earvin
"Magic" Johnson (Corporate Citizen), entrepreneur extraordinaire B. Smith
(Entrepreneur), and the Honorable Congressman James E. Clyburn (Public
Service). The second annual event will take place at the Warner Theatre in
Washington, D.C., on Saturday, January 17 and premiere on the network during
Black History Month on Monday, February 9 at 9:00 p.m.*
"We are thrilled to kick off this historic inauguration weekend with the
return of THE BET HONORS, a truly inspirational event that pays tribute to
extraordinary individuals in our community," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. "And it couldn't have worked out more
perfectly that THE BET HONORS and the Inauguration are happening within days
of each other, as President-elect Barack Obama epitomizes all that we had in
mind when we first put this show together. I'm certain that this year's BET
HONORS will be even more poignant and powerful than we could have ever
imagined."
"THE BET HONORS recognizes excellence in achievement and celebrates
inspiration," said Stephen Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks.
"Last year's inaugural show had a number of leave-your-seat performances
dedicated to our honorees. This year, we're finding new ways to musically pay
tribute so look forward to fresh, unforgettable moments. The pride will show."
During the historic weekend and following THE BET HONORS, BET Networks
will host its first-ever Inaugural Ball and will air a one-hour special, YES
WE WILL! BET'S INAUGURAL CELEBRATION, on BET on Tuesday, January 20. Taking
place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the Ball will be in support of our next
generation of national and local leaders, with proceeds benefiting America's
Promise Alliance, the nation's largest non-profit alliance dedicated to the
well-being of children and youth founded by Colin and Alma Powell.
Additionally, the Ball will support two institutions that are committed to
the education and advancement of today's youth in Washington, D.C. - Dunbar
High School and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
"As we celebrate this historic inauguration and begin a new chapter in our
nation's history, it's important that we stay focused on our most precious
resource -- our children and youth," said Alma J. Powell, chair, America's
Promise Alliance. "We are deeply honored to partner with BET to raise
awareness of the challenges facing our young people -- and applaud those
making a positive difference in their communities. We cannot afford to stand
still as more than a million students drop out of high school every year."
About THE BET HONORS
Last year's honorees included Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Dr. Cornel West,
Richard Parsons, the Honorable Maxine Waters and Janice Bryant Howroyd.
Hosted by Cedric "The Entertainer," the first annual event boasted
performances and presentations by Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean,
Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, Blair Underwood and Vivica A. Fox, just to name
a few.
Stephen Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks, and Lynne Harris
Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, are the show's executive
producers, along with John Cossette of John Cossette Productions.
For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and
photographs, visit BET's press-only Web site at www.bet.com/pr.
*All times ET/PT
About the 2009 BET Honorees
MARY J. BLIGE - Mary J. Blige is an eight-time Grammy Award-winning and
Golden Globe-nominated singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress
who has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.
TYLER PERRY - Tyler Perry is a remarkable playwright, screenwriter, actor
and director and producer known for his very funny yet poignant plays and
movies. Over the years, many credited Perry with resuscitating (and
reinventing) African-American theater. Perry's first eight plays reportedly
earned a cumulative gross of more than $75 million in ticket and video sales.
EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON - Earvin "Magic" Johnson is Chairman and CEO of
Magic Johnson Enterprises. Through strategic investments, partnerships and
endorsements, Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) provides products and services
that focus on ethnically diverse urban communities. As Chairman and Founder of
the Magic Johnson Foundation, he is dedicated to developing programs and
supporting services that address the educational, health and social needs of
those residing in minority communities. Mr. Johnson is universally known for
his 13 year career in the NBA. His honors include: five national championships
with the Los Angeles Lakers, three MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a gold
medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain and induction into the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Mr. Johnson is also Vice President and part
owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
CONGRESSMAN JAMES E. CLYBURN - Congressman James E. Clyburn is an
illustrious politician and House Majority Whip, the third-ranking Democrat in
the House of Representatives. In 1992 he became the first African American
elected to the House of Representatives from South Carolina since 1897. He
proudly represents South Carolina's 6th Congressional district, the state's
only majority-black district, which includes Florence, Sumter and large
portions of Columbia and Charleston. He is second African American (behind
Bill Gray of Pennsylvania) and the first South Carolinian to serve as Majority
Whip.
JUDITH JAMISON - Judith Jamison is a celebrated dancer, choreographer, and
artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now celebrating
its 50th anniversary, and recognized by the U.S. Congress as a vital "American
Cultural Ambassador to the World." One of the most renowned figures in modern
dance, she has led the Ailey organization to new heights with the opening of a
permanent home in New York City -- the nation's largest building for dance.
Dedicated to asserting the prominence of the arts in our culture, Ms. Jamison
is an author and a recipient of a primetime Emmy Award and many of the
nation's most prestigious honors given to artists.
B. SMITH - B. Smith is a former fashion model turned restaurateur,
television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire who is
widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living. A
seasoned culinary expert who was recognized by Elle Décor as one of America's
10 most outstanding non-professional chefs, Smith is the owner of three
successful B. Smith restaurants in New York, Washington D.C., and the scenic
Long Island Hampton village of Sag Harbor.
About America's Promise Alliance
America's Promise Alliance is the nation's largest partnership alliance
comprised of corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, policymakers,
advocacy and faith groups committed to ensuring that children receive the
fundamental resources -- the Five Promises -- they need to lead successful,
healthy and productive lives and build a stronger society. Building on the
legacy of our founder General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success
of our children is grounded in experiencing the Five Promises -- caring
adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and
opportunities to help others -- at home, in school and in the community. For
more information about America's Promise Alliance, visit
www.americaspromise.org.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the
nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public
affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary
BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media
Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the
dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business
extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment,
music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip
Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event
Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home
Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment
including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones,
games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an
extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
