Michelle Obama Proudly Honors Her ‘Girl’ Beyoncé With BET Humanitarian Award

As it was, that milestone barely registered in a busy production that had more news to address than any awards telecast in recent memory.

Michelle Obama highlighted Beyoncé's commitment to the black community before presenting her with the humanitarian award, saying: "You can see it in everything she does, from her music that gives voice to Black joy and Black pain, to her activism that demands justice for Black lives".

The 2020 BET Awards was a virtual event this year due to the global crisis triggered by the pandemic. "We're getting real in touch with being real inside, because outside is on one - it's got COVID and cops and Karens gone wild".

The BET Awards celebrate black artists and sportspeople.

Several artists made political points during their performances, including Roddy Ricch, who wore a Black Lives Matter shirt while he rapped. Keys sang "Perfect Way to Die" on a deserted city street chalked with the names of Black people killed by police. "I appreciate you. Nipsey's family, we love you".

Beyoncé has been awarded the humanitarian award at the BET Awards, using her speech to encourage viewers to vote "like our life depends on it" in the upcoming U.S. election.

The 25-year-old entertainer performed her hit "Savage" from the desert alongside a slew of backup dancers. Jennifer Hudson, set to play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic, also turned up to do her take on Franklin's take on "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" by Nina Simone. R&B star Summer Walker, who played guitar and sang, was also impressive during her performance, which featured Usher.

Her good deeds continued for Juneteenth, following the release of her latest song, "Black Parade", with the creation of BeyGOOD's Black Business Fund, administered by the National Urban League, to support Black-owned small businesses.