The national HBCU talent search putting campus stars center stage and on national TV
This competition invites singers to share their talent for a chance to perform
during the HBCU Honors Television Special, airing on BET and BET Her.
The winner performs live at the Duke Ellington Theatre in Washington, D.C., joining an unforgettable night honoring legacy, innovation, and excellence.
• Must be a currently enrolled student at an accredited HBCU.
• Must be 18+ years old.
• Solo singers only (no groups).
• No entry fee.
• 60–90 second vocal performance
• Post publicly on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts
• Tag @HBCU_Honors, @BET, and presenting sponsor
• Use hashtags #HBCURisingStar #HBCUHonors• Complete the form at b
• All eligible entries reviewed by HBCU Honors judges.
• Up to three finalists perform live on Nov. 17, 2025.
• Winner announced during HBCU Honors airing Nov. 30 on BET
By submitting, entrants grant the HBCU Honors Foundation and BET Networks full promotional and broadcast rights to use submitted content and likeness in perpetuity across all media platforms without further compensation.
• Participation signifies agreement with these terms and decisions of the Foundation.
• The Foundation is not responsible for technical errors or lost submissions.
• Participation does not guarantee finalist selection.
Contact: execdirector@
All participants grant perpetual rights for promotional and broadcast use to the HBCU Honors Foundation, presenting sponsor, and BET Networks.
