Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe(R) Nominated Actress Taraji P. Henson Back to Host the Triumphant Return of BET Networks' "Celebration of Gospel"

Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Erica Campbell, Tamela Mann, Tank, Chrisette Michele, Deitrick Haddon and More Set to Take the Stage at the 15th Annual Praise Fest

"Celebration of Gospel" Tapes Saturday, January 9 in Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES -- Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe(R) nominated superstar Taraji P. Henson ("Empire") returns to host BET's #1 gospel music special "Celebration of Gospel." Back by popular demand, "Celebration of Gospel" returns after a year break with the multi-talented Taraji at the helm while showcasing some of the most popular singers in worlds of gospel, R&B and Hip Hop coming together for one powerful night of television.

"I am thrilled to return to BET's Celebration of Gospel. It is truly a celebration of the best in music with love and hope. A celebration of what brings us all together and reminds us of what is important," said Taraji P. Henson.

This year "Celebration of Gospel" will feature legendary singers Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Pastor Shirley Caesar hitting the stage with contemporary gospel powerhouses Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Tamela Mann, Le'Andria Johnson, Heavenly Joy Jerkins, Jessica Reedy and Tasha Cobbs.

Chrisette Michele and Tank showcase their gospel roots along with electrifying performances from Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Bebe Winans, Tye Tribbett, Donald Lawrence, Kurt Carr, Travis Green, Jonathan McReynolds and Geoffrey Golden.

Show stopping praise from Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago and an all-star tribute to honor the late, gospel pioneer Andraé Crouch led by Dr. Bobby Jones will cap the evening.

"Celebration of Gospel" tapes Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 7 P.M. PST at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, CA and premieres on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 8 P.M. EST.

Acquiring Tickets

Tickets to attend the taping are free to the public and are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. To acquire tickets, please submit a request via email to COGrsvp@bet.net.

"Celebration of Gospel" is a BET Networks production and is executive produced by Stephen Hill, Connie Orlando, Lynne Harris Taylor and Geovanni Brewer.

Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag: #CelebrationofGospel; follow the show for all updates & special surprises @BETGospel. For more information on "Celebration of Gospel" visit www.bet.com/celebrationofgospel. Viewers can also find updates on Facebook by liking the fan pages at http://www.facebook.com/BETGospel. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information, including releases and photographs, visit BET's press web site at www.BETPressRoom.com.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.