INAUGURAL URBAN ONE HONORS AWARDS
SET TO AIR ON TV ONE FEBRUARY 28 AT 8P/7C
Hosted by REACH Media Syndicated Radio Personality DL Hughley,
the Star-Studded Event Celebrates the Achievements of Extraordinary Individuals Including Jermaine Dupri, Brandy, April Ryan, Tom Joyner, DJ Khaled & Shaun King
Featuring Performances by Elle Varner, Avery Sunshine, Marvin Sapp & K-Ci of Jodeci
TV One will air the inaugural URBAN ONE HONORS on Thursday, February 28 at 8 p.m. ET/7C, immediately followed by an encore presentation at 10 p.m. ET/9C. The stellar show, hosted by comedian and REACH Media Syndicated Radio Personality DL Hughley, will honor Jermaine Dupri, April Ryan, Brandy, Tom Joyner, Marvin Sapp, DJ Khaled, June Ambrose, Doc Walker, Shaun King, Benny Pough, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jade Novah, Dr. Nadia Lopez, Tracy Martin, Sybrina Fulton and Rotimi. Presented by MGM National Harbor and Radio One’s Washington D.C. radio stations Majic 102.3 & 92.7, 93.9 WKYS, Praise 104.1, WOL 1450 & 95.9, Spirit 1340 and The Team 980, the event was developed to acknowledge and honor individuals or organizations that have made an extraordinary impact on society and culture. The awards show was taped live at The Anthem Theater in Washington, DC on December 9, 2018.
“All of us at Urban One are dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the very best of us,” said Urban One Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes. “We’re providing platforms for urban content. We are in the black people business and proud of it.”
The Urban One Honors represents excellence in the areas of innovative programming, successful business ventures, advanced technology, entertainment, social activism, education, and community service, through diligence and dedication. The inaugural class of Urban One Honors Awards Honorees set the bar high while being an exemplary catalyst for change and profound models for success.
“Sometimes we forget that we are part of what our founding fathers said in the Preamble ‘We the People.’ That ‘We the People’ are every last one of us who every day strive to make it better for our children,” expressed White House Correspondent April Ryan, who is honored with the Media Personality of the Year Award.
Singer Brandy, who is honored with the Cathy Hughes Excellence Award for her commitment to excellence throughout her career, praised Ms. Hughes for “being an inspiration, an example for the culture, for all the people and epitomizing Black Girl Magic.”
Musical highlights for the evening include performances from Marvin Sapp, K-Ci of Jodeci, Elle Varner, and viral sensation Avery Sunshine.
Featured presenters include Q Parker of 112, Record Executive LA Reid, Tom Joyner Morning Show Senior Analyst Roland Martin, TV Personality Traci Braxton, Retired NFL Player Fred Smoot, Journalist Gia Peppers, singer Ray J, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Rapper Da Brat, Producer Bryan Michael Cox, Political Commentator Symone Sanders, MGM’s Chief Diversity Officer Phyllis James, REACH Media Radio Personality Griff and Jamar Sapp.
URBAN ONE HONORS is produced for Urban One by Kashon Powell. For TV One, Susan Henry is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production.
Photo Credit: Antoine DeBrill