Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2018, the URBAN ONE HONORS has honored the achievements of black and brown people, while highlighting their contributions to culture and global society. The event features a star-studded line-up of presenters and honorees as well as special musical performances.

The inaugural URBAN ONE HONORS was held on December 9, 2018 at the Anthem in Washington, DC, and was hosted by DL Hughley. The 2018 class of honorees included: Jermaine Dupri, April Ryan, DJ Khaled, Rotimi, Marvin Sapp, Brandy, June Ambrose, Doc Walker, Shaun King, Benny Pough, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jade Novah, Dr. Nadia Lopez, Tracy Martin, and Sybrina Fulton. Featured presenters included: L.A. Reid, Ray J, Symone Sanders, Traci Braxton, Bryan Michael Cox, Da Brat, and Fred Smoot. The evening featured electrifying performances from Johnny Gill, Avery Sunshine, Elle Varner, and K-Ci of Jodeci.

The 2nd URBAN ONE HONORS was held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and was televised as a two-hour broadcast from 8-10pm ET/PT on TV One on January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Co-hosted by Urban One Founder and Chairwoman Cathy Hughes and actor Chris Tucker, this event honors the following people: music executive Sylvia Rhone (Lifetime Achievement Honor); recording artist and producer Missy Elliott (Music Innovation Honor); actor Jamie Foxx (Entertainment Icon Honor); artist Chance the Rapper (Represent Change Honor); and star of POSE Ryan Jamaal Swain (Represent Pride Honor). Plus, special recognitions for the evening include executive legend Clarence "The Black Godfather" Avant (Represent Opportunity), civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton (Represent Leadership) and Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Porter (Represent Excellence). Lil' Kim, Corinne Foxx, Aaron Walton, Billy Porter and Clarence Avant are among the show's presenters. Special appearances by Alfred Liggins, III, veteran radio personality Tom Joyner, entrepreneur and TV personality Ray J, rapper/radio host Da Brat and Reach Media/Radio One personalities Willie Moore, Jr. and Dyana Williams round out the show. The event also features performances from Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Brandy, Grammy-nominated rapper Wale, new artist Jac Ross, Pastor Charles Jenkins, along with a special musical tribute to the late, two-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, James Ingram, by Ne-Yo, Eric Benet, Chante Moore and Al B. Sure.

On Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 9-11pm ET/PT, TV One premiered "Women Leading the Charge," a new URBAN ONE HONORS event, hosted by Erica Campbell and Roland Martin. This year's theme is 'Women Leading the Change' and highlights the extraordinary contributions of women in business, media, health, politics, and community outreach, who are leading impactful change within the Black community. Now in its third year, Urban One Honors was created to acknowledge and pay homage to individuals and organizations whose work significantly impacts culture and society- at large. This year's URBAN ONE HONORS commemorates the myriad achievements of women leaders who are blazing trails and creating new pathways for others in their respective areas of expertise. Categories of recognition reflect the tireless effort and triumphant accomplishments achieved by the honorees and include: Voting Rights Champion dedicated to Stacey Abrams; Business Alchemist presented to Roz Brewer; Investigative Journalism Crusader bestowed upon Nikole Hannah-Jones; Health Equality Advocate awarded to Dr. Ala Stanford; Reparations Ambassador conferred to Robin Rue Simmons; and Family Needs Ambassador presented to Kim R. Ford. The event also pays special homage to the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, featuring three performances dedicated to "The Sweethearts." The critically acclaimed, all-female jazz band of the 1930s included Helen Jones Woods, a founding member and mother of Urban One Founder and Chairwoman, Cathy Hughes. The Sweethearts band, comprised of 17 ethnically diverse members who achieved international accolades despite discrimination, sexism and Jim Crow -- to become symbols of success against adversity. The ceremony also features female performers including Jazmine Sullivan, Da Brat, Le'Andria Johnson, Avery Sunshine, and the all-female house band Kim Burse and the KB Players. The 3rd annual event was taped on March 17, 2021 at Riverside EpiCenter in Austell, GA.

Hosted by Ne-Yo, the 2022 URBAN ONE HONORS premiered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 17, 2022) from 8-10pm ET/PT on TV One, honoring this group of music icons: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Lifetime Achievement Award), Jennifer Hudson (Entertainment Icon Award), Timbaland (Music Innovation Award), Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff (Living Legends), and Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Inspiration Impact Award). The two-hour telecast explores the show's theme, "Soundtrack of Black America," with musical performances by H.E.R. (to open the program), D-Nice, Kelly Price, Tyrese, Tank, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and Tasha Cobbs-Leonard. Presenters include Tyrese, Jermaine Dupri, Marlon Wayans and Vashawn Mitchell. Plus, Eva Marcille gives viewers a look behind-the-scenes with a special backstage pass. The 4th annual URBAN ONE HONORS was taped on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Riverside EpiCenter in Austell, GA.

Hosted by Tank, the fifth annual URBAN ONE HONORS debuted on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 7-9pm ET/PT on TV One and Cleo TV. "Celebrating Icons of the Culture" serves as the topic for this year's honoree class, which highlights and celebrates a distinguished group of people who have made a lasting impact in the fields of entertainment, lifetime achievement, inspirational impact, music innovation, and the inaugural Phoenix Honor. This year's honorees include: Maxine Walters (Lifetime Achievement Award), LL Cool J (Entertainment Icon), Bobby Brown (Phoenix Honor), Pharrell Williams (Music Innovation Award), and David and Tamela Mann (Inspirational Impact Award). The ceremony also features a performance by Keke Wyatt, while DJ Spinderella of Salt-N-Pepa, Monie Love, and Doug E. Fresh commemorate Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary. Plus, Rev. run and Lamman Rucker make special appearances. LeToya Luckett hosts an exclusive backstage pass session with the show's honorees, performers, and presenters. The event was taped six weeks earlier -- on Friday, December 2, 2022 -- at The Eastern in Atlanta, GA.
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The 6th installment of URBAN ONE HONORS premiered on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 8-10pm ET/PT on TV One and Cleo TV. "Best in Black," salute Dionne Warwick, recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Chloe, celebrated as the Generation Next Honoree; Frankie Beverly, honored as a Living Legend; and Donald Lawrence, acclaimed for his Inspirational Impact. Plus, legendary Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige is recognized as the prestigious Entertainment Icon Honoree. Teyana Taylor, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, Angie Stone, October London, alongside a reunion featuring KeKe Wyatt, Chante Moore, and Nicci Gilbert round out the star-studded lineup of performers and presenters. LeToya Luckett returns to host the event's "Backstage Pass." The ceremony was taped one month earlier on Janusary 20, 2024 at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta.