URBAN ONE HONORS is presented by TV One and Radio One’s Washington D.C. market’s cluster of radio stations: Majic 102.3 and 92.7; WKYS 93.9, Praise 104.1, WOL 1450, Spirit 1340, and The Team 980 and 95.9.

Some of the biggest names in film, television, and music gathered for a star-studded affair at the annual URBAN ONE HONORS at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Thursday, December 5. Hosted by Urban One Founder and Chairwoman Cathy Hughes and actor Chris Tucker, the prestigious event celebrated the 40-year legacy of Radio One and will premiere on January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, at 8 P.M./7C on TV One.

This year’s honorees included: veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone (Lifetime Achievement Honor); Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producer Missy Elliott (Music Innovation Honor); Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx (Entertainment Icon Honor); Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper (Represent Change Honor); and, actor/dancer and star of “Pose,” Ryan Jamaal Swain (Represent Pride Honor). Special recognition went to music 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).

The televised event will herald the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, fashion, sports, 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.

“I give praise and thanks to God from Whom all blessings flow for the opportunity to be of service to my community for these 40 years,” said Hughes. “I always say that Radio One is my second baby next to my son and business partner, Alfred Liggins.

I am immensely grateful for the men and women who have worked to help make Radio One a success. It started as a single radio station and is now a media family with two cable television networks and various digital media platforms. I look forward to celebrating this milestone and recognizing others who are doing phenomenal work in their industries.”

The program will feature a star-studded line-up of presenters and honorees as well as special musical performances. It will serve as an annual commemoration of the achievements of Urban Americans and broadcast their contributions to our culture and global society.

“Urban Americans have had a tremendous impact on society and culture, a fact that we’re excited to celebrate with the telecast of the annual Urban One Honors on TV One,” said Rice. “As we honor the 40th-anniversary milestone of Radio One, Ms. Hughes’ outstanding contributions as a media pioneer, and the impact of the honorees, we’re proud to continue the network’s mission to represent the richness of the Urban experience.”

“Our team at Radio One DC is profoundly humbled to be a part of this historic presentation of Urban One Honors,” stated Wilson. “It’s not only a celebration of 40 years of broadcast history but also a tribute to some of the most luminary figures in our American culture.”

The inaugural URBAN ONE HONORS was held on December 9th, 2018, at the Anthem in Washington, DC, and was hosted by REACH Media Syndicated Radio Host 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.

Highlights from the evening included:

• A surprise performance by Grammy Award-winning icon Anita Baker, who not only serenaded Cathy Hughes with “Giving You the Best That I Got” but also had Lalah Hathaway, Billy Porter and Jamie Foxx to join her on stage.
• Actress Corinne Foxx presenting the Entertainment Icon Honor to her father Jamie Foxx, who, during his acceptance speech, remarked that his best role ever is being a father.
• Rapper Lil’ Kim’s heartfelt presentation of the Music Innovation Honor, which brought honoree Missy Elliott to tears.
• A special musical tribute to the late, two-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, James Ingram, by Ne-Yo, Eric Benét, Chanté Moore and Al B. Sure!

Additional performances from Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Brandy, Grammy-nominated rapper Wale and new artist Jac Ross brought the audience to its feet. Special appearances by Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins, III, veteran radio personality Tom Joyner, entrepreneur and TV personality Ray J, rapper/radio host Da Brat, TV host Egypt Sherrod, comedian George Wallace, and Reach Media/Radio One personalities Russ Parr, Willie Moore, Jr., Dyana Williams, Darlene McCoy and Little Bacon Bear rounded out the show.

URBAN ONE HONORS AIRS JAN. 20th 2020 TVOne

URBAN ONE HONORS is produced for TV One by Eric Tomosunas and Keith Neal of Swirl Films. Kashon Powell, Vice President of Programming for Radio One, is the Executive in Charge of Production, and Susan Henry, Senior Director of Original Programming and Production for TV One, is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production. Brigitte McCray is Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Production.

Ford Motor Company served as Presenting Sponsor of the event and presented a special backstage pass segment hosted by TV Personality Tai Beauchamp, featuring exclusive interviews with the show’s honorees, performers and presenters. Ford also sponsored the Entertainment Icon Award.

For the latest information on URBAN ONE HONORS please visit UrbanOneHonors.com.

Catherine Liggins Hughes is an American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and Business Executive. Hughes founded the media company Radio One, and when the company went public in 1999, she became the first Urban-American Woman to head a publicly traded corporation.