BET Raised Us: From Mississippi to the World
The MAX is rolling out the red carpet for a high-energy, after-hours dance party celebrating Mississippi’s enduring influence on Black entertainment and culture, including Mississippi native and Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson.
Inspired by the energy and glamour of The BET Awards, BET Raised Us: From Mississippi to the World will be hosted by award-winning comedians Rita Brent (Comedy Central, Late Night with Rita Brent) and Merc B. Williams (Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City, Born Funny Comedy Tour), who will interview eventgoers as they make red-carpet arrivals before introducing live performances by Ariel J. and DJ Sirato in the Citizens National Bank Courtyard. Plus, meet award-winning graphic novelist John Jennings and tour his exhibition, John Jennings: Build Your World, now on view at The MAX.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with an add-on VIP dinner experience featuring a menu prepared by Chef Enrika Williams of Fauna Foodworks. At 6:30 p.m., the red carpet will open to all ticket holders, with Ariel J. taking the stage at 8 p.m. and DJ Sirato at 9 p.m.
BET Raised Us honors Robert L. Johnson, who made history in 1980 with the launch of the first cable television network aimed at Black Americans. BET transformed Black entertainment and storytelling, helped launch the careers of numerous hip-hop and R&B artists through the groundbreaking series 106 & Park, and became part of the first Black-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Tickets: $40 (event ticket) | $95 (event ticket + VIP dinner experience)
Please Note: The dinner is exclusive add-on experience.
Schedule of events:
5 pm: Dinner with Chef Enrika in the Structural Steel Services Hall of Fame (VIP ticketholders only)
6:30 pm: Red Carpet Entrance at the Walk of Fame
8 pm: Performance by Ariel J. in the Citizens National Bank Courtyard
9 pm: Performance by DJ Sirato in the Citizens National Bank Courtyard
