For the 2022 BET Awards, Black Hollywood’s brightest stars descended on the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 26) to honor and celebrate this year’s accomplishments in Black entertainment.
Actress Taraji P. Henson hosted the ceremony for the second consecutive year and had the duty of emceeing a thematically complex show for the BET Awards’ twenty-first iteration. Although this year’s show focus was Black excellence and men’s mental health, the show also included references to the recent overruling of Roe v. Wade. Figures such as Henson, Jazmine Sullivan, and Janelle Monáe took the stage during the night to deliver scathing critiques of the Supreme Court and offered advice to men on how they could be allies during these trying times.
Throughout the night, the audience found themselves moving to the beat of their favorite songs—old and new—celebrating success with live performances from artists like Mariah Carey, Babyface, Chance the Rapper, Chlöe, Doechii, Ella Mai, Fireboy DML, GIVĒON, Jack Harlow, Joey Bada$$, Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin, Latto, Lizzo, Muni Long, Roddy Ricch and so much more. If the fully-loaded roster of performers wasn’t enough, viewers were brought to their feet with an ultimate tribute for the 2022 BET Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Amongst many of the must-see moments, BET created an experience for Black creatives to be celebrated for their excellence in music, philanthropy, and performance. Arguably one of the best BET Award shows to date, BET’s Connie Orlando oversaw the show, along with Jamal Noisette. Jesse Collins Entertainment also served as the production company with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay as executive producers.
In no particular order, here are the 10 best moments from the biggest night in Black entertainment.