HBCU Honors is a nationally televised celebration that spotlights the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, their alumni, and their legacy of leadership. This year’s third annual HBCU Honors turned its spotlight on three trailblazers whose work spans faith, culture, and business. The 2025 ceremony honored Pastor Shirley Caesar, cultural strategist and artist David Banner, and entrepreneur Janice Bryant Howroyd.

Pastor Shirley Caesar (Shaw University alum) received the Lifetime Achievement Award and was celebrated for a gospel career and ministry that has sustained and shaped Black spiritual life for generations. Her tribute highlighted a life committed to worship, mentorship, and community uplift. Caesar’s legacy is the kind that HBCUs aim to cultivate in their students and alumni.

David Banner, a Southern University alumnus, received the Cultural Impact Award as an artist, activist, entrepreneur, and storyteller who has used his platform to amplify Black narratives and advocate for systemic change. His acceptance speech was a moment and among the night’s most talked about segments. 

Business titan and NC A&T alum, Janice Bryant Howroyd, the founder and CEO of the ActOne Group and a pioneering Black woman entrepreneur, was given the Visionary Founder Award and honored for building workforce infrastructure and opportunity at scale. Howroyd’s rise from modest beginnings to global business leadership shows off HBCUs’ role in producing leaders who move markets and create jobs.

Hosted again by comedian and Fisk alum Kym Whitley, the 2025 HBCU Honors also showcased gospel (Jekalyn Carr, Y’Anna Crawley and Morgan State University’s choir) and R&B performances (Raheem DeVaughn accompanied by Howard University’s dance team, “OOH LALA Dancers,” Tarrey Torae, MAJOR., Gabby Samone), the HBCU Rising Star talent finalists, and the new Media Futures Fellowship — programming designed to amplify student voices and pipeline talent into media and corporate fields. 

The special aired on BET and BET Her as part of the Thanksgiving-weekend showcase. Check out this gallery to feel like you were there too!

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