BET MEDIA GROUP UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED LINEUP OF PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS FOR 3RD ANNUAL BET BLACK + ICONIC SOIRÉE 

Big Freedia, Avery Wilson, Eva Marcille, Bryan Terrell Clark, and More to Light Up Washington, D.C. in Celebration of Black LGBTQ+ Excellence
 

NEW YORK, NY. – May 12, 2025 – The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée is set to ignite Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, with a dynamic lineup of talent that reflects the brilliance, creativity, and cultural impact of the Black LGBTQ+ and ally community.

BET today announced confirmed presenters from its acclaimed original programming:

• Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+)
• Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+)
• Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra From Detroit, BET+)
• Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+)

Taking the stage with high-energy performances are two showstopping musical acts:

• Avery Wilson, the genre-bending vocalist known for his dynamic range and soul-stirring delivery
• Big Freedia, the globally recognized Queen of Bounce and cultural icon, whose genre-defying sound and unapologetic authenticity have redefined music

Hosted by celebrated journalist and TV personality Scott Evans, the Black + Iconic Soirée returns to honor leaders and luminaries who unapologetically redefine the culture, champion inclusion, and push progress forward.

This year’s honorees include:

• Bob the Drag Queen – Entertainer, Author & Actor | Culture Trailblazer
• Ashlee Marie Preston – Media Personality & Co-founder, KaleidoCollective | Creative Visionary
• Hope Giselle – Senior Scholar, National Black Justice Coalition | Emerging Leader
• Ashlee Davis – Global Head of Talent Development & DEI, Ancestry | Executive Realness
• Kierra Johnson – President, National LGBTQ Task Force | Active Advocate

The Black + Iconic Soirée is a celebration of pride, purpose, and power—where icons are honored, new voices are elevated, and the intersection of Blackness, queerness, and allyship takes center stage.

From the red carpet to unforgettable performances, the evening promises to deliver culture-shifting moments, bold fashion, and an unapologetic celebration of identity and impact.

ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events, and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Justin Brown 
Justin.Brown@bet.net

Johnny Cooper
Johnny.Cooper@bet.net

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