On November 28th, the Soul Train awards will premiere at the World-Famous Apollo Theater in New York City. It is the first time that the award ceremony will be held in such a renowned setting, and there’s a special reason for the occasion: This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Soul Train.
Soul Train was created by Don Cornelius in 1971 and aired until 2006. With 35 successful years of programming, it became the longest running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television’s history. The groundbreaking show brought African American culture to a much broader audience, and the Soul Train awards honor the show’s impact on the genre of music and dance from the seventies to present times, while also highlighting Black excellence in the entertainment industry.
“Don Cornelius’ brilliant vision created a revolutionary show that became a cornerstone in American culture,” said BET’s Connie Orlando. “Fifty years later, the Soul Train Awards continues to amplify his powerful message of love, peace and soul to a global audience. We are honored to be a part of the Soul Train legacy and partner with the national treasure that is the Apollo to celebrate Black excellence and culture.”
“The Apollo is thrilled to partner with BET to host the Soul Train Awards, bringing together three iconic brands that represent Black culture and excellence under one roof,” said Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes in a press release. “This is an occasion to celebrate, and we look forward to the incredible performances that will light up our stage during the Soul Train Awards.”
Watch the Soul Train Awards Sunday, November 28th at 8 PM EST on BET and BET Her.
In the brief video below, learn more about Soul Train and its impact.
