BET Awards Salute Black Culture on 20th Anniversary

06.26.2020

In the midst of global protests in support of Black Lives Matter and against police brutality targeted at the Black community, BET is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the BET Awards.

As the above spot says, "This is the moment that we show up for each other and everything we've created. When we revel in our strength, our artistry and brilliance. When we dance to one shared beat, and celebrate our collective wins. Every moment we enjoy together ignites the most powerful part of who we are. Let this be the moment we remember. Our culture is too big to be canceled."

The ceremony will be hosted remotely by actor and author Amanda Seales and feature performances by Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Megan Thee Stallion, Usher and more. The show also will honor the lives of Little Richard and Kobe Bryant, both of whom passed away this year, as well as pay tribute to workers on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19.

Jennifer Hudson

Megan Thee Stallion

Beyonce Knowles Carter also will be honored for her many humanitarian efforts, including most recently setting up the #IDIDMYPART COVID-19 mobile testing initiative in her native Houston with her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson. For Juneteenth, following the release of her song, "Black Parade," Knowles Carter announced the creation of BeyGOOD's Black Business Fund, administered by the National Urban League, to support Black-owned small businesses.

In 2017, she created "Formation Scholars," as part of her overall BeyGOOD effort, to encourage and support women at four different colleges. That same year, she partnered with UNICEF to create "BeyGood4Burundi," a multi-year partnership to bring safe water and sanitation to the East African country of Burundi. In 2018, she created the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, following her Coachella performance, benefitting students at eight HBCU colleges and universities.

The 20th Annual BET Awards also will honor Nicolas Johnson, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and D-Nice as the 2020 Shine A Light Honorees, which recognize resilience, ingenuity and creativity in the face of adversity. Assa Traoré a French anti-racist activist, has been selected as the 2020 BET International Global Good recipient.

The show, which is being produced remotely, will leverage the newly merged ViacomCBS and air across several channels simultaneously: CBS, BET and BET Her as well as being livestreamed on CBS All Access on Sunday, June 28 at 8/7 c.

​CREDITS

SVP, Executive Creative Director, Brand Strategy, BETN: Kendrick Reid

VP, Creative Director: Adrian Hilton

Director of Production: Karen Goodwin

Creative Director: Mike Williams

Art Director: Eric Franklin

Broadcast Designers: Jun Lee, Jill Tai

Senior Project Manager: Janeita Bellamy Senior Copywriter: Thembisa Mshaka

Writer/Producer: Dave Williams, Burton Lewis

Agency/Editorial/Design: Cashmere

Editor: Anita Robertson

Audio Mix: Eric Pfeifer

Project Manager: Araba Nazaire

Coordinator, Design Operations: Jessica Hernandez

Production Associates: Kevin Saxon, Kevin Abreu

VO Artist: Toy Holmes

Music: "Ooh La La" Run The Jewels feat. Greg Nice, DJ Premier & Zach de la Rocha