Introduction to the BET Awards
The BET Awards have stood out as a cultural phenomenon since their inception in 2001, celebrating excellence in Black American entertainment and recognizing achievements across various fields such as music, film, television, sports, and philanthropy. As a stand out event in Black culture, the Black Entertainment Television Awards not only honors outstanding talent but also serves as a platform for advocacy, social commentary, and community empowerment.
After a 4 year hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the BET Experience made a strong comeback with a weekend full of events leading up to the 24th BET awards ceremony. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the weekend featured concerts, competitions, day parties and even a basketball game all leading up to what BET likes to call Culture’s Biggest Night, the BET Awards. BET doesn’t only do Black entertainment, it also uses its influence to promote Black owned Businesses and brands committed to supporting Black communities. HBCU Leggings was in good company as it was featured alongside brands such as Vaseline, Dove, TPH by Taraji P. Henson, and many more.
HBCU Leggings spent the weekend as the featured brand of the Love Healthy Lounge and Pavilion which featured various interactive activations and panels centered around Black fitness, nutrition, wellness and mental health. The incomparable fitness influencer, Radio One personality and Florida A&M University Alumna, Maria More teamed up with HBCU Leggings flying all the way from Atlanta to LA to host fitness events on Saturday June 29th. Couldn’t make it to the BET Experience this year? Never fear. HBCU Leggings will walk you through all of the best highlights of the weekend leading up to Culture’s Biggest Night.
BET Awards - Culture’s Biggest Night
The BET awards have been around for a long time – like since the turn of the millennium, and when they first showed up on the scene there was nothing else like it around. Their mission and novelty definitely made waves. Founded by the Black Entertainment Television network (BET), the BET Awards were introduced as a response to a void in mainstream award ceremonies. At the time, most major ceremonies overlooked or marginalized Black artists and creators, limiting the way they were viewed and received by audiences at large. With its inaugural ceremony in 2001, the BET Awards swiftly established itself as a cultural landmark event, creating a new platform on which Black talent could be featured and setting new standards in inclusivity and representation within the entertainment industry. By spotlighting Black excellence and amplifying diverse voices, the BET Awards have played a crucial role in reshaping the cultural landscape and promoting positive portrayals of Black identity. So why call it “Culture's Biggest Night?” The BET awards were established “for the culture”, creating a space in which that was specifically designed for us and by us. That night was star studded with the likes of Whitney Huston, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Snoop Dogg, Shaquielle O'Neal, etc. For many Black artists (like Outkast), the 2001 BET awards marked their first ever live performance at a major awards ceremony.
Take a look at this playlist of the 2001 Bet Awards and performances here: 2001 BET Awards.
2024 kept up with the reputation as this year’s award show pulled more than 3 million viewers. According to the Nelson figures making it the number 1 awards show on cable for the first half of 2024.
HBCU Leggings x Love Healthy
HBCU Leggings made a memorable debut at this year's BET Awards, marking our first-ever sponsorship at the event after a four year long absence due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The buzz around the BET Experience weekend was palpable, and it felt incredible to be back in the mix of things surrounded by .
Partnering with the Love Healthy Lounge was the highlight of the weekend for us. They created an uniquely amazing space focused on Black fitness, nutrition, wellness, and mental health—a perfect fit with the BET Awards' mission to empower our community. Maria More, representing HBCU Leggings, led a high-energy community workout (and rocked her Love FAMU Unisex Tee) that had everyone moving and grooving. Take a look at Maria in action here: Maria More x BET Experience. She truly brought our commitment to health and community engagement to life!
As if that weren’t enough excitement for one weekend, we brought out one more surprise at the BET Experience Weekend. Shouting out our good Greek sisters, we were thrilled to reveal our new Delta Sigma Theta Apparel line, debuted by K.J. Rose, founder and creator of the Rose Effect, and powerhouse performance director for artists like Nas and Saweetie.
Being a part of the BET Awards was more than just sponsorship—it was a celebration of Black art, creativity and achievement. We're excited to bring you more highlights from this unforgettable BET Experience so keep an eye on the HBCU Leggings Instagram page for more BET Experience content.
Reflecting on our time debut at the BET Experience and all of the festivities leading up to the 2024 BET Awards, one thing is abundantly clear: HBCU Leggings has always been and remains committed to celebrating and uplifting Black excellence. From the Love Healthy Lounge stage with legends like Doug E. Fresh, DeVon Franklin, Tamar Braxton, and Tristan Mack Wilds, to the invigorating community workout led by Maria More, and and unveiling our new Delta Sigma Theta Apparel line, every moment resonated with the spirit of Black empowerment and unity.The BET Awards not only showcased talent but also affirmed our mission to amplify Black voices and highlight positive portrayals of Black identity. Looking forward, we at HBCU Leggings remain steadfast in our support of the Black community and eagerly anticipates bringing you more highlights from this unforgettable BET Experience. Visit HBCULeggings.com today to explore our latest collections and show off your favorite styles. Join us in celebrating the power and resilience of Black excellence!
Love and Leggings,
Bibi