The BET Awards Gave Me A Full Circle Moment I Didn't See Coming

Refinery29

a day ago

Watching 106 & Park's Top Ten video countdown was a childhood ritual, just like gathering around the television to watch the BET Awards, which always signaled summer was officially underway.
It's crazy to think it's been 25 years since the first episode of 106 & Park aired, originally hosted by AJ Calloway and Free Marie Wright. Back then, my childhood dream was to be in that audience. And this year, it came full circle as I found myself sitting in the audience at this year's BET Awards. It may not have been the official 106 & Park audience like back in the day—but being in the crowd as BET paid tribute to the show that shaped so much of my childhood? That was more than enough.
I should preface this by saying 106 & Park was the first time I saw something that visualized what I wanted to be when I grew up. Free Marie walked so I could be where I am today. That's why seeing the show honored during Monday night's awards was such a soul-stirring experience for me.
So when BET opened the show with a full-on tribute—reuniting former hosts (minus AJ and Rocsi), taking us down memory lane by reviving the set, and blessing us with live performances from some of the artists who once dominated the Top Ten countdown including Ashanti, Amerie, Mýa, Keyshia Cole, B2K, and Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow it was my teenage dream playing out in real-time.
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Despite all of the Black joy occurring inside the theater, chaos, and tension boiled outside in downtown Los Angeles, with President Donald Trump deploying military forces in response to the city's immigration protests.
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With Kevin Hart as the host (not holding back on any of his jokes), nostalgia was the main course at this year's awards show, and I lived for every minute of it.
Just before everything kicked off, DeLeón Tequila 's pregame takeover on the carpet was the place to be. Jharrel Jerome, Dominique Perry, Teedra Moses and several cast members from BMF floated in and out for the vibe and a cocktail (or two) before making their way into the Peacock Theater for the main event.
And trust me when I say the energy inside the Peacock Theater was unmatched. It was a true Black-tie affair, with everyone adorned in their finest clothes and jewelry to celebrate what truly lived up to its title: 'Culture's Biggest Night.' However, it's equally important to mention that despite all of the Black joy occurring inside the theater, chaos, and tension boiled outside in downtown Los Angeles, with President Donald Trump deploying military forces in response to the city's immigration protests.
Yet, in the true nature and spirit of Black people during trying times. We showed up, showed out and held on to every ounce of happiness we could muster. The nearly five-hour show paid tribute to legends Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin and Jamie Foxx.
There wasn't a dry eye in the building when Foxx accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award, using the moment to reflect on his second chance at life following a near-fatal stroke in 2024. And our girl Mariah? She reminded us it's okay to be a diva, or in her case, extra fabulous, just as long as you're living for yourself and no one else.
Let's keep it real for a second. When Kendrick Lamar was announced as the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, the crowd, including myself, just knew we were about to be hit with the ' Kendrick couldn't be here tonight' statement, so we braced ourselves. After all, his Grand National Tour partner, SZA (sis just arrived fashionably late), won in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category. But even presenter Keke Palmer looked shocked when Kendrick actually showed up to accept his award and popped up onstage to remind fellow artists that you're never too big for BET—the platform that always embraces our own.
Aside from the nostalgia and love that filled the room, another notable takeaway was the way each, if not all, of the winners, took a moment to speak to the power of faith and working alongside God to make their dreams a reality.
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I told myself then: the next time I'm here, I'll be working it. In 2024, that dream came true. I worked the red carpet for the first time. And in 2025? I leveled up in a way I couldn't have scripted.
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As I sat there in the audience, I couldn't help but think back to my very first BET Awards experience. It was the summer after my first year of college.
My roommate's dad, Anthony Nelson, worked at BET and brought us out to Los Angeles to enjoy the show. The moment was one of many firsts for me. It was my first flight, my first time in LA and my first awards show. The irony of it all is at the time I was studying broadcast journalism with dreams of being one of the voices I saw on the carpet. I told myself then: the next time I'm here, I'll be working it. In 2024, that dream came true. I worked the red carpet for the first time. And in 2025? I leveled up in a way I couldn't have scripted. Proof that if you have a dream and the courage to pursue it, the possibilities are endless.
Before the show closed, Kirk Franklin took us to church with a speech that shifted my soul. He said:
'I'm not even a perfect artist because I can't even sing, which makes this award even more amazing because what I really do doesn't make sense. If you're listening to this, that's when you know it's God, when you don't make sense. When you got that job, you were least qualified for. It doesn't make sense.'
The Melodies from Heaven gospel icon didn't stop there—he kept going, reminding us exactly why he's been a staple in our playlists and prayers for decades. 'You're the first in your family to break generational curses, but you're the same one the family talks about. It doesn't make sense. When you try to explain how favor ain't fair. How those that hate on you end up only helping you. It doesn't make sense. And lastly, those same people, look how quickly they come back around when you finally make sense.'
It was then that it truly hit me. None of this journey— 106 & Park, broadcast dreams, red carpet moments, media seats at the BET Awards—none of it really made sense until I realized God continues to show me just how good it can get. With every opportunity, every milestone, every step along this journey, I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. And that's how I know it's real and destined to be on this path.