Viola Davis, Billie Eilish and the LeBron James Family Foundation will be among the honorees of The 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards, which will air on national television for the first time ever on BET on Feb. 3, TheWrap has exclusively learned.
In addition to Davis and Eilish, 2026 honorees include former NFL player Warrick Dunn, The DorothyJeanius STEAM Leadership Institute founder and CEO Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman, Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission senior executive director Dr. DuShun Scarbrough, Sesame Workshop, Kara Water, Cisco Systems, Inc., Justice for Migrant Women founder and president Mónica Ramírez and Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman and CEO Robert F. Smith.
The ceremony will also feature musical performances by Chance the Rapper, Syleena Johnson, October London and Goapele.
The two-hour event, which was filmed live in Atlanta and co-hosted by Anika Noni Rose and Aldis Hodge, celebrates national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, unwavering commitment to social justice and a dedication to fostering the Beloved Community. The broadcast is produced in partnership with V10 Entertainment.
“Our MLK, Jr. Beloved Community Awards are about recognizing people and organizations who, in some way, align their power with justice,” The King Center CEO Dr. Bernice A. King said in a statement. “My hope is never to center celebrity, but to underscore the values we believe reflect leadership and create the Beloved Community. I am grateful for BET broadcasting these love-infused moments to millions.”
“This is more than a broadcast — it’s a responsibility,” BET president Louis Carr added. “At BET, we are committed to using our platform to elevate stories that matter. Premiering the Beloved Community Awards on our network allows us to center community, celebrate cultural leadership, and create space for meaningful connection that reflects the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy.”
In addition to King, Jim Roush, Dr. Jatali Bellanton, Carter Skeath, V10 Entertainment CEO John Stevens, Bonita T. Hampton Smith, Jeff Smith and Michael Johnson serve as executive producers.
“We’re honored to partner with Dr. Bernice A. King and BET for this celebration of exceptional achievement that recognizes leaders in community impact, humanitarianism, and social and environmental justice,” Stevens said. “This will be a night that not only celebrates remarkable contributions, but also remains deeply aligned with The King Center’s mission to empower and build a more humane and equitable world.”
The full list of 2026 honorees, their awards and presenters is as follows:
- Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award – Dr. DuShun Scarbrough, Sr. Executive Director of The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. This award will be presented by LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter.
- Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award – Kara Water– Accepted by Cody Soodeen, CEO and Founder. This award will be presented by Sean Freeman, Actor.
- Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award – Sesame Workshop – Accepted by Valerie Mitchell Johnston, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Sesame Workshop. This award will be presented by Sonia Manzano, TV Producer, Actor, Author.
- Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award – Warrick Dunn – Former NFL Player, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur. This award will be presented by Chris Draft, NFL Alum and International Cancer Advocate.
- Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Individual) – Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman – Founder & CEO, The Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. This award will be presented by Iain Armitage, Actor.
- Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Corporation) – LeBron James Family Foundation – Accepted by Gloria James, Mother of LeBron James.
- Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award – Billie Eilish- Artist & Songwriter. This award will be presented by Wawa Gatheru, Environmental Activist.
- Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award – Viola Davis – Actor & Producer. This award will be presented by Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center.
- Beloved Community Corporate Social Impact Award – Cisco Systems, Inc. Accepted by Brian Tippens, SVP, Chief Social Impact & Inclusion Officer. This award will be presented by Dr. Jatali Bellanton, Neuropsychologist and Financial Educator.
- Beloved Community Social Justice Award – Mónica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women. This award will be presented by Karine Jean Pierre, Political Advisor and 35th White House Press Secretary.
- Beloved Community Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award- Robert F. Smith- Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners. This award will be presented by Rockmond Dunbar, Actor.
The MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards air on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
