Taraji P. Henson Set To Return As Host Of The 2022 BET Awards

Taraji P. Henson is back and busier than ever. She is set to make a comeback to her hosting duties for the renowned BET awards.

Henson first hosted the reputable ceremony that celebrates people of color on June 27, 2021. She will now return to the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles to do the same this year!

The Black Entertainment Television Awards organizers took to social media to make the announcement to the excitement of fans of the "Empire" actress worldwide.

On Thursday, May 5, The official Instagram page of the BET Awards broke the news that Henson will reprise her role as the host of the 22nd edition of the ceremony.

The awards show will be held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on June 26 to celebrate Black excellence in film, music, TV, and sports.

According to PEOPLE, Henson spoke about her upcoming gig, which will air on the show's channel at 8 p.m. ET, in a press release. She gushed:

"I am honored to return as the host of the BET Awards and share the stage with so many powerful and prolific artists; you can even say it is the 'empire' of Black Excellence."

The "Acrimony" actress praised her partners from BET, Scott Mills, Connie Orlando, and Jesse Collins Entertainment, for being amazing people. She called working with them a creative's dream and continued:

"I can't wait to celebrate Black music, entertainment, and culture with our viewers on what will be one unforgettable night."

Orlando, the EVP of music strategy, specials, and music programming at BET, also showered the "Proud Mary" actress with compliments, saying:

"Taraji P. Henson is the personification of Black excellence. We are excited to collaborate with the phenomenal multi-talented stage and screen actress to host the ultimate celebration of Black culture again this year." 

The executive vice president continued to say that the Black Entertainment Television Awards have been home to creativity, brilliance, and talent from black folk for over twenty years. 

Orlando teased that the upcoming ceremony will be one for the books, saying, "we look forward to raising the bar for BET Awards 2022."

Henson uses her celebrity status to champion many humanitarian causes. In 2018 she launched a foundation to aid people battling mental health issues. She also founded numerous strategies to help black communities.

Earlier this month, The Blast disclosed that the good works of the "Hidden Figures" actress caught the attention of President Joe Biden.

Biden gave Henson federal backing and a larger platform to support and influence Black students as a member of the advisory board for historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The 51-year-old broke the news of her new role as a member of the HBCU board of advisors on her Instagram account last week. She uploaded a throwback image of herself at her alma mater, Howard University, writing:

“I am excited to announce that President Biden has appointed me to serve on his HBCU Board of Advisors. Since taking office, the President and Vice President [Kamala] Harris have invested $5.8 Billion in HBCUs, and I look forward to working with them to continue efforts to support these important institutions.”

Henson initially studied electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She then left to pursue her dreams of being an actress.

The "Baby Boy" actress enrolled at Howard to study acting. She graduated in 1995 and instantly began pursuing a career in the film industry, which swiftly took flight.

The presidential advisory council for historically Black schools and institutions includes NBA star Chris Paul, United Airlines President Brett Hart, and Lisa Jackson, the first Black woman to be appointed as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Henson and the other newbies join the president of Delaware State University, Tony Allen, and the president of Tennessee State University, Glenda Glover, who serves as chairwoman and vice-chairperson of the board.

The advisory council was founded under the Carter administration. It represents Virginia State University, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Alabama State University, Prairie View A&M University in Texas, and Dillard University in New Orleans.