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As HBCU Honors Presented by BET & BET Her returns this Thanksgiving weekend, cultural leader, artist, and activist David Banner is set to receive the prestigious Cultural Impact Award—an acknowledgment of his decades-long commitment to art, community, and Black empowerment.
Ahead of the ceremony, NoirOnlineOrg spoke with Banner about the message he wants to share with the next wave of HBCU graduates, creatives, and young leaders who are striving to use their platforms for good while expanding their influence on a global scale.
Banner did not hold back. Instead, he tapped into personal experience, reflection, and the lessons he learned throughout his evolution from artist to activist.
“Enjoy yourself.”
When asked about finding balance between purpose, creativity, and responsibility, Banner began with a surprising but powerful point:
“Enjoy yourself. That was probably one mistake that I made in my career. I was always so serious that I looked up and had done all of these wonderful things, but everybody else had enjoyed my career but me.”
He explained that while purpose is important, joy is necessary—and too many young Black creatives carry the weight of expectation without giving themselves space to breathe.
On the Role of HBCUs: “Community is the responsibility.”
Banner also reflected on his time as SGA President at Southern University, where he learned firsthand the importance of nurturing students rather than disciplining them out of opportunity.
“Sometimes we fight for the liberation of our children, but we’re harder on them than anybody else. You shouldn’t have zero tolerance at an HBCU. If something is off with our children, then we need to correct it in that microcosm instead of throwing them out on the streets.”
For Banner, HBCUs are not just institutions—they are cultural anchors.
“A lot of parents send their children to HBCUs to teach them how to be Black. In some ways, we’ve sacrificed the Blackness and the culture of our community, so we count on HBCUs to assist with that.”
He added that some schools have drifted away from that purpose, focusing more on corporate pipelines than cultural development.
Holding Institutions Accountable
While Banner celebrates HBCUs, he also emphasizes accountability:
“We also have to make sure that we hold HBCUs responsible for being what they’re supposed to be.”
To him, these schools are sacred spaces—places meant to cultivate identity, build community, and prepare students to return to their communities with pride and responsibility.
A Thank You to the Culture
Before wrapping the conversation, Banner expressed deep gratitude to the Black audience and entertainment community who have supported him throughout his journey.
“I’d like to thank you all for allowing me to grow. So many people who have tried to stand in the gap that I’ve tried to stand in have been crushed by their own people, but I can honestly say that for the most part, Black people have stood for me and allowed me to be an example of what freedom can look like.”
HBCU Honors Returns November 30
HBCU Honors Presented by BET & BET Her returns Sunday, November 30 at 8 PM ET/PT, showcasing a powerful celebration of Black excellence, leadership, culture, and legacy—with David Banner’s voice adding a meaningful reminder of why HBCUs matter more than ever.
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