BET ANNOUNCES GRAMMY-WINNING ARTIST DURAND BERNARR AS SOUL PERSONIFIED HONOREE AND PERFORMER AT THE "SOUL TRAIN AWARDS" AIRING FRIDAY, NOV. 27 AT 8 P.M. ET/PT ON BET AND CBS

Fresh Off His First GRAMMY Win and the Release of His Fourth Studio Album, "BERNARR.," the Vocal Powerhouse Will Also Host the "Soul Train Awards" Digital Red Carpet Show

NEW YORK (Oct. 27, 2026) - BET today announced that GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter and producer Durand Bernarr will receive the Soul Personified Honor and perform at the "Soul Train Awards" 2026, a celebration of his fearless creativity, vocal mastery and contributions to contemporary music. The Soul Personified Honor celebrates an artist who represents the essence and spirit of R&B music.

Fresh off his 2026 GRAMMY win for Best Progressive R&B Album for BLOOM, Bernarr has stepped into his next chapter with his fourth studio album, BERNARR., released via DSING Records and Create Music Group Named in tribute to his father, sound engineer Bernarr Ferebee Sr., the project features collaborations with Big Sean, BJ The Chicago Kid, Khalid, Sevyn Streeter and Vic Mensa. The album landed at No. 11 on Billboard's list of "The Best 50 Albums of 2026 So Far."

Over a 20-year journey as an independent artist, Bernarr has built a devoted following through his genre-bending sound, dynamic live performances and unapologetic individuality. From his viral 2023 NPR "Tiny Desk" concert to sold-out shows at Blue Note Los Angeles and New York and joining Kehlani on The Kehlani World Tour, his artistry bridges classic soul traditions with contemporary R&B.

"Durand Bernarr is an extraordinary talent whose artistry reflects the depth and boundless possibilities of R&B," said Connie Orlando, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy at BET. "His remarkable vocal range, commanding stage presence and commitment to artistic authenticity have distinguished him throughout his career. From his journey as an independent musician to his GRAMMY-winning success, Durand has remained true to his creative vision. We're proud to celebrate his artistry with the Soul Personified Honor and welcome him to this year's Soul Train Awards."

Bernarr will also host The 2026 "Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Show: Back on Track", bringing his signature personality and charisma to the celebration. This digital experience, a reimagination of the traditional red carpet, will deliver fun and fashion from your favorite artists. In addition, the show will crown the greatest R&B song of the 2020s, according to the fans.

Connie Orlando serves as the executive producer of the "Soul Train Awards" 2026 for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers. The "Soul Train Awards" is presented by Spotify as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner.

About Soul Train

"Soul Train" was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. When the final episode of the show's historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. "Soul Train" highlighted a cast of incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to "the hippest trip in America" and closed each show wishing the audience "love, peace, and soul." Today, the legacy of "Soul Train" lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET acquired the "Soul Train" brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.

ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP

BET Media Group, part of Skydance TV, a flagship division of Skydance Corporation (NYSE: SKYD), is the world's largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. For over four decades, BET has served as a trusted home for Black audiences, amplifying authentic stories, elevating Black voices, and creating spaces where culture thrives and community comes together. Through a powerful portfolio of brands - including BET, BET Her, BET Studios, and VH1 - along with FAST channels such as BET Tyler Perry Comedy, BET Tyler Perry Drama, BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Classics, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks, and BET Pluto, BET connects audiences across cable, digital, live events, studios, and global platforms. Together, these platforms deliver culturally resonant content that reflects the depth, creativity, and impact of the Black experience. For more information, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For additional announcements, visit paramountpressexpress.com/bet/.

About Jesse Collins Entertainment

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full-service Emmy-winning production company that has played an integral role in producing many of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment. JCE's award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming from its four divisions - specials, sports, scripted and unscripted. From the specials division, JCE has produced award shows including The Emmy Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, The 2021 and 2022 American Music Awards, The 2022 Golden Globes, BET Awards, SoulTrain Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF's An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors; and specials including Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey, Grace For The World: Live from St. Peter's Square, A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, CNN's Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Def Comedy Jam 25 and more. From the sports division, JCE has produced projects including Beyoncé Bowl at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans NFL 2024 Christmas Game, The Super Bowl Halftime Show, The 95th Major League Baseball All-Star Game Pre-Game Show, The 2025 World Series Game 1 Anthem, NFL Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show starring Jack White and Netflix's Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party. From the scripted division, JCE has produced series and miniseries including Real Husbands of Hollywood, American Soul, The New Edition Story, and The Bobby Brown Story. From the unscripted division, JCE has produced series including Heart & Hustle: Houston, Tia Mowry: My Next Act, Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, Cardi Tries, DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic, Forward: The Future of Black Music, Hollywood Squares, Rhythm + Flow, Sunday Best, We Got Time Today, Yara Shahidi's Day Off, Face to Face with Becky G and Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. Emmy Award winner Jesse Collins is the

Founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment and executive producer of all JCE programming. He is also an executive producer for the annual GRAMMY Awards and produced the 2021 Oscars. Emmy winner Dionne Harmon is President. Emmy nominee Jeannae Rouzan-Clay is Senior Vice President of Specials.

About Spotify

Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionized music listening. Its move into podcasting brought innovation and a new generation of listeners to the medium. In 2022, Spotify took the next leap, entering the fast-growing audiobook market - continuing to shape the future of audio.

Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, 7 million podcast titles, and 700,000 audiobooks on platform. Spotify is the world's most popular audio streaming subscription service with 777 million users, including 300 million subscribers, in 184 markets.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships. Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota's plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.