Black achievement honored

It had all the makings of an A-list awards show: lights, cameras, celebrities galore and a packed audience of well-heeled onlookers.

No, not in Hollywood, but in downtown Washington, where the BET Honors presented its inaugural event Saturday evening at the Warner Theatre.

Hundreds were on hand for the three-hour love fest paying homage to the outstanding achievements of six black Americans — a cross section of glitterati, intelligentsia and business leaders ” sponsored by District-based Black Entertainment Television.

Supermodel-turned-producer and talk show host Tyra Banks received the Media Award, and nine-time Grammy-winner Alicia Keys received the Entertainment Award. Others honored were business-owner Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of ACT I Personnel Services (Entrepreneur Award); Time Warner Board Chairman Richard D. Parsons (Corporate Citizen Award); Rep. Maxine Waters, California Democrat (Public Service Award); and Cornel West, author, activist and professor of religion at Princeton University (Award for Education).

Actor and comedian Cedric the Entertainer served as host of the taped event, scheduled for national broadcast on Feb. 22, just two days before the planned 80th annual Academy Awards telecast on ABC.

If, the Oscars go on, that is.

With the cancellation of last night’s Golden Globes ceremony due to the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America, and no end to the labor action in the foreseeable future, the likelihood of other awards shows (including the Feb. 10 Grammy telecast) proceeding as usual seems dubious at best.

In the midst of awards season, that could be good news for the Viacom-owned BET (now reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S., the Caribbean and Canada), especially among viewers in need of their celebrity fix.

And they won’t be disappointed.

A galaxy of stars walked the red carpet, where discussion turned to politics (this is, after all, Washington) — instead of the usual Hollywood fodder — en route to the stage.

For the record: Actor Blair Underwood, singer-songwriter Wyclef Jean, rap star Chingy, actors Mario Van Peebles (“New Jack City”), Hill Harper (CBS’ “CSI”) and Kerry Washington (“Ray,” “The Last King of Scotland”) said they’re firmly behind Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama, while actress Vivica A. Fox (“Kill Bill”) plans to support Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Singer Brian McKnight and Miss Keys (the belle of the ball in a show-stopping red sheath with an elaborate diamond-encrusted collar) said they’re still undecided.

Onstage, politics took a back seat to the main event with neo-soul singer Jill Scott paying tribute to Mr. West; Mr. Jean serenading Miss Banks; Mr. McKnight celebrating Miss Howroyd; the great Stevie Wonder honoring Miss Keys; a standout John Legend singing for Mr. Parsons; and R&B legend Gladys Knight paying vocal homage to Miss Waters.

One missed opportunity: Although buzz about a rumored Michael Jackson appearance at the event — to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking album, “Thriller” — spread through the crowd, the “Gloved One,” alas, was a no-show. R&B newcomer Ne-Yo performed instead, taking on Mr. Jackson’s “The Lady in My Life” with aplomb.