BET NETWORKS “GOES PINK” FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

(NEW YORK, NY) – October 14, 2019 — BET Networks continues its annual tradition of “going pink” in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month and announces special programming including the network’s third annual “BET Her Fights: Breast Cancer” concert special, and original limited series “The Waiting Room.”

Hosted by actress, Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game; Steve Harvey Show), the one-hour special, “BET Her Fights: Breast Cancer,”  highlights touching stories and looks to build awareness amongst of African American women. The concert special will feature uplifting performances from RocNation recording artist Nicole Bus, gospel newcomer Jekalyn Carr, Singer/songwriter Samm Henshaw and R&B icon, Johnny Gill.   Presenters will include Keisha Knight Pulliam (House of Payne, Madea Goes to Jail), Syleena Johnson (Sister Circle), and the cast of BET + original series “Bigger;” Tanisha Long, Rasheda Crockett and Angell Conwell.

This year’s “BET HER FIGHTS: BREAST CANCER” honorees will include veteran actress/dancer, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Chicago based entrepreneur Erika Bracey, two breast cancer survivors who will give compelling personal testimony about recognizing the signs of and overcoming breast cancer.  “BET HER FIGHTS: BREAST CANCER” premieres Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET & BET HER.

Additionally, BET Her will premiere an original limited series, “The Waiting Room.” This fictional anthology series will include four 10-minute short films, that follow five women who all connect in a doctor’s waiting room as they await to hear if they have breast cancer. Each short film will follow their journey after receiving the life changing diagnosis. All stories will be written and directed by Black women, including Micah Ariel Watson, Shateka Johnson, Nicole Taylor-Roberts, and Cas Sigers-Beedles. “The Waiting Room” is set to premiere on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 8:00 PM ET.

Ep #1 – The Story of Nadia​

An OB/GYN finds herself as the patient. Due to the necessary treatment to survive, she faces the harsh reality of not being able to personally have the “gift” that she delivers to women each day. Dr. Bennett (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), Nadia (Meta Golding), Travis (Christopher Alan Martin), Writer/Director (Micah Ariel Watson)​

Ep #2 – Bonded: The Story of Kendall​

Estranged mother and daughter come together after the daughter is diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Dr. Bennett (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), Kendall (La’Myia Good), Zola (Angie Stone), Shannon (Kim Davis), Writer/Director (Shateka Johnson)​

Ep #3 – The Ballad of Lexi Smith​

A comedienne deals with her cancer battle by incorporating her story into her stage routine. Despite being alternately funny and uncomfortable for the audience, she survives by sharing her truth. Dr. Bennett (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), Lexi (Michelle Threatt), Sammi (Tequilla Whitfield), Wes (Jean Elie), Writer/Director (Nicole Taylor-Roberts)​

Ep #4 – The Story of Trinity​

A woman learns that her cancer is no longer in remission and sets out to live her remaining days, creating memories with her loved ones. Dr. Bennett (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), Trinity (Rashan Ali), Devon (Ernestine Johnson), Rory (Alexander Benton), Steven(Karon Joseph Riley), Shelby (Lyric Chance Thomas) Writer/Director (Cas Sigers-Beedles)​

The month of special programming furthers the BET HER brand mission of entertaining, encouraging and educating its audience with positive messages on coping with the effects of breast cancer, celebrating individuals and organizations in the fight against breast cancer, and raising the level of awareness to prevent this disease’s impact on the community in the future.

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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; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.