Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Cicely Tyson And Common To Deliver Dazzling Performances At BET Honors 2012

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ BET Networks) The fifth annual BET HONORSgears up for a highly anticipated show, celebrating the outstanding achievements of extraordinary legends in music, literature, entertainment, media, service and education. Acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union hosts the show for a fourth year, honoring renowned poet/author Maya Angelou (Literary Arts), internationally acclaimed musician Stevie Wonder (Musical Arts), Grammy-Award winning songstress Mariah Carey (Entertainer), influential filmmaker Spike Lee (Media), the heroic Tuskegee Airmen (Service) and inspirational coach and mentor Beverly Kearney (Education). The BET HONORSpremieres during Black History Month, on Monday, February 13 at 9:00 p.m.*

The BET HONORS, star-studded lineup includes performances by Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Cicely TysonandCommon, with appearances by Cuba Gooding Jr.,Terrence Howardand Willow Smith. The show tapes at the historic Warner Theatre on Saturday, January 14 in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, and Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, are executive producers, along with Cossette Productions.

Lexus is this year's returning sponsor for the BET HONORS red carpet and VIP reception.
Proceeds from this year's BET HONORSprivate ticket sales will be given to Metro TeenAIDS. Metro TeenAIDS, a longtime partner of BET, is a community health organization dedicated to supporting young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS, through education, support, and advocacy.

For more information on the BET HONORS, visit www.bet.com/bethonors. Viewers can also find series updates on Facebook by liking the fan pages at www.facebook.com/BETHonors. Also, join the conversation about the special on Twitter by using hashtags: #BETHonors; follow the show for all updates & special surprises @BETHonors. For more information about this special visit www.BET.com.

*All times EST