BET Special: McDonald’s 365 Black Awards 2015 Airs Tonight With Rapper Common, Keke Palmer, Shanice Wilson, And Yolanda Adams

Tonight’s BET special will present the 2015 McDonald’s 365 Black Awards. The 12th annual awards show will honor African-American leaders who are making a difference in their communities. The McDonald’s 365 Black Awards was taped earlier this month at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Hosted by Terrence J and actress Keke Palmer, the event will air tonight at 9 p.m. EDT.

Set to make appearances at this year’s McDonald’s 365 Black Awards are Smokie Norful, Johnathan McReynolds, B.o.B., Shanice Wilson, Andra Day, Assassin, Avery Sunshine, and Sevyn Streeter. You can also look out for Lance Gross, singer Yolanda Adams, and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson. Rapper Common, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Yara Shahidi, Dondre Whitfield, and Marcus Scribner will present the awards.

According to The Southern, the Humanitarian Award will go to former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, the Trailblazer Award will go to journalist Jeff Johnson, the Arts and Entertainment Award will go to film director Ava DuVernay, and Marvin L. Sapp will be given the Living Legend Award.

In addition to the adults who will be honored at the McDonald’s 365 Black Awards show, BET viewers can also expect to see two inspiring young people who are making positive contributions in their African-American communities: Tori Turner, a 17-year-old African-American motivational speaker and actress who enjoys giving back to her community. Turner is the founder of the D.R.E.A.M Big Foundation, a foundation that helps Louisiana’s young people. She is in charge of several events that are connected to her foundation, such as the Calling Teens to Action, Skate For a Cause, and the Pretty Girls Read events. Turner believes that young people can make a difference in their own lives and in their own communities, despite their age, according to McDonald’s.com

“Remember that [young people] are never too young to make a difference and never let fear hold you back. The people who aren’t for you really don’t matter.”

Aaron Johnson will also be honored at the 2015 McDonald’s 365 Black Awards annual event. Johnson is a talented 14-year-old boy who makes films. He also produced his first stage play entitled Bittersweet, according to BET. The exceptional youngster enjoys helping young people go after their dream career. The award-winning teen is the author of the book You Are Never Too Young, a book that tells young people to go after what they want. He also details how he became interested in filming and editing. In 2016, he will hold the You are Never Too Young event.

“The sky is the limit. There is no one on this earth that can stop you from dreaming and pursing your dreams but you. In this book you will read about my challenges and my victories. By sharing my passion for filming and editing, I pray it will inspire you to start working towards your dreams now.”

To see some amazing performances by some of your favorite entertainers, as well as some of the top adult and youth leaders in African-American communities, tune in to the McDonald’s 365 Black Awards on BET at 9/8 central.

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