ACADEMY AWARD(R) NOMINATED ACTRESS TARAJI P. HENSON TO HOST 14TH ANNUAL "CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL"

The Best of Both Worlds: Gospel and R&B Vocal Powerhouses Unite as Yolanda Adams, Charlie Wilson, India.Arie and Jonathan McReynolds, Donnie McClurkin, SWV, Tye Tribbett, Erica Campbell, Ruben Studdard, Chante Moore, Hezekiah Walker, Lalah Hathaway, Tasha Cobbs, Kem, Tamela Mann and More Come Together to Bring the Praise

BET Networks' Annual Praise-Fest Tapes Saturday, March 15, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA - February 27, 2014 - Academy Award(R) nominated actress Taraji P. Henson has been chosen to host BET's #1 gospel music special, "Celebration of Gospel." The multi-talented Taraji takes over the role as Steve Harvey, king of comedy and all things media, ends his historic 13-year run. Taraji will bring her own charming and high voltage personality to the stage as the best singers in gospel, R&B and pop music come together for one powerful night of television.

"I am thrilled to join the BET "Celebration of Gospel" family. I look forward to a great evening of incredible music and continuing the rich history of BET and gospel music which started 14 years ago hosted by the talented and very funny Steve Harvey," said Taraji Henson.

This year, "Celebration of Gospel" will feature even more captivating pairings between gospel and R&B artists including "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard, "Sunday Best" winner LeAndria Johnson, and soulful crooner Kem, who will join forces to raise the praise as a triumphant trio. Acoustic soul artist India.Arie will team up with Christian contemporary artist Jonathan McReynolds for a special performance. Female R&B group SWV and the renowned Rance Allen Group will also join together to anoint the crowd through song.

"Celebration of Gospel" will also offer dynamic duets by Donnie McClurkin and Tye Tribbett; Lalah Hathaway and Zacardi Cortez; and Chante Moore and Vashawn Mitchell. A touching tribute to gospel music pioneer Richard Smallwood and rousing spoken word pieces from Pastor Shirley Caesar and Dr. Bobby Jones will also highlight the night.

"Since its' inception, 'Celebration of Gospel' has brought together the best voices from both the secular and gospel music worlds to give praise like only they can," said President of Music Programming & Specials, Stephen Hill for BET Networks. "This year is no exception because at the end of the day, everyone's roots are in gospel music. A gathering of powerful singers like these on one show can only happen on BET."

Experience the life-changing power of gospel music with rousing, spirit-filled performances by powerhouses including Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Hezekiah Walker, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Detrick Haddon, J.J. Hairston, "Sunday Best" Season 6 winner Tasha Page-Lockhart and current "American Idol" Candice Glover. Additionally, NAACP Image Award winner, Charlie Wilson will share his testimony in a sanctified song titled "If I Believe" that's sure to shift the atmosphere.

BET's annual gospel music special, "Celebration of Gospel" tapes Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 7 p.m./PST at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, CA, and will premiere on Sunday, April 6, 2014 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, President of Music Programming & Specials, BET Networks, Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials & Music Production BET Networks, 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 http://www.bet.com/celebrationofgospel. Viewers can also find updates on Facebook by liking the fan pages at http://www.facebook.com/BETGospel. .

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.