The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée made its Washington, D.C. debut with an inspiring evening celebrating the past, present, and future of Black LGBTQ+ excellence. The 2025 theme, “Excellence Ascending,” paid tribute to cultural changemakers leading with authenticity, courage, and purpose.

Hosted by entertainment journalist and Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée gathered trailblazers across activism, arts, business, and media for a powerful evening of storytelling, performance, and legacy-building. 

Highlights from the BET Black + Iconic Soirée included:

●      Ashlee Davis, J.D. received the Executive Realness Award for her trailblazing work in civil rights leadership, including her legacy of impact across government and corporate sectors.

●      Hope Giselle, a powerful advocate and author, was named Emerging Leaderfor her unrelenting work championing visibility and inclusion for Black trans communities.

●      Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, was honored as Active Advocate for her decades of leadership advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

●      Ashlee Marie Preston, a nationally recognized activist and media strategist, accepted the Creative Visionary Award, saluted for using her voice to shift narratives and build intergenerational coalitions.

●      Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning entertainer and global icon, received the Culture Trailblazer Award, closing the evening with a heartfelt speech about identity, freedom, and legacy.

●      The Center for Black Equity and the TAKE Resource Center each received $5,000 through the BET Thrive Fund Recognition, honored for their work advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness, equity, and community organizing.

The night also featured a soul-stirring medley performance by Broadway powerhouse Avery Wilson, fresh off the stage from The Wiz revival. Presenters included Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra From Detroit, BET+), and Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+), each bringing star power and heartfelt tributes to the evening’s honorees.

“From the very beginning, we knew this couldn’t be just another event,” said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics and Co-Lead of Social Impact at BET, during his opening remarks. “It had to be an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced and celebrate contributions that have shaped the world in powerful ways.”

The evening also spotlighted Gilead Sciences, a long-standing partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Gilead’s Rashad Burgess, Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Health Equity, emphasized the importance of equitable healthcare access, visibility, and long-term impact for Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Additionally, the event welcomed Truth Initiative as a new partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Dr. Kendric Dartis, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, addressed the urgent issue of tobacco use in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and emphasized the need for culturally relevant cessation support. He also announced a $5,000 BET Thrive Fund donation, sponsored by Truth Initiative, to Us Helping Us—a D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity.

BET Black + Iconic Soirée stands as a defining moment in the 45th anniversary year of the media group—underscoring its mission to center Black culture, honor its LGBTQ+ communities, and drive meaningful, measurable impact. 

Get into our exclusive interviews, and footage below.

Eva Marcille

TS Madison

RaeShanda Lias

Honoree, Bob The Drag Queen

Victor Jackson

Carter The Body

Justin Stewart

Honoree, Ashlee Davis

Derek J