Cathy Hughes, Urban One Founder and Chairwoman, today announced the honorees, performers and presenters for the prestigious annual URBAN ONE HONORS . The event takes place Thursday, December 5, 2019, at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
This year’s honorees include: veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone (Lifetime Achievement Award); Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producer Missy Elliott (Music Innovation Award); Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx (Entertainment Icon Award); and actor/dancer and star of “Pose,” Ryan Jamaal Swain (Represent Pride Award).
Performers include Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Brandy; gospel singer Pastor Charles Jenkins; Grammy-nominated rapper Wale; Grammy Award-winning recording artist and songwriter Ne-Yo; R&B singer Eric Benét; television host Egypt Sherrod and new music artist Jac Ross who performed during the press conference.
Actor/singer and star of “Pose” Billy Porter, and the subject of Netflix’s documentary “The Black Godfather” Clarence Avant are among the show’s presenters.
“This will be an evening to remember,” stated Hughes. “We are extremely proud to present this showcase of talent in recognition of these exceptional men and women whose contributions “REPRESENT” our capacity to transform industries and effectuate change. I am overjoyed that we can celebrate the anniversary of Radio One with an event that honors what has been our mission of service to our community over these 40 years.”
The televised event will herald the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, education, and the community. It will also pay tribute to the 40-year history of Radio One, the radio division of the company, and its extraordinary founder, Cathy Hughes. During the press conference Hughes also shared that there will be a tribute to singer/songwriter James Ingram. The singer died in January.
Hughes continued, “We are blessed to have Billy Porter as part of our event. No matter how busy the Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning performer is, he has made time to support Urban One and continues to be an advocate for black press.”
The two-hour telecast of the URBAN ONE HONORS airs on TV One, a division of Urban One, on January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Tickets to the awards show are available to the public and can be purchased at urbanonehonors.com.
