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The Pre-Honors Dinner

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Inside the Pre-Honors Dinner - Glitz, glamour, black excellence and necessary decadence all embody the exclusive annual Pre-Honors dinner. Honorees, performers, luminaries and special invited guests all converged on the historical Library of Congress to dine and celebrate what extraordinary looks like. Take a look inside. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Gabrielle the Glorious Host - Gabrielle Union, actress and return host of this year's BET Honors looked gorgeous in this cream and silver cocktail dress, featuring a sweetheart neckline with silver brocade. She completed the look with Jimmy Choo Anouk heels.  (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Executives Walk the Carpet - BET Executives Vicky Free and Jeanine D. Liburd took a break from their corporate coordinating to throw on the glitz and glamour on the Pre-Honors Dinner red carpet. Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Excellence in Charge - BET CEO Debra Lee put everyone's outfit to shame as she rocked a cream and black tiered cocktail dress and Miu Miu heels. These are the stylings of a boss!(Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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History on Wheels  - NASCAR's first Black female driver Tia Norfleet looked racy (pun intended) on the Pre-Honors Dinner red carpet in a black sheer and leather-look floor length gown. Keep rippin' up the roads, Tia! (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Glamour in General - United States Attorney General Eric Holder and wife Dr. Sharon Malone probably felt right at home at the Library of Congress. The only difference? This historical building got infused with some necessarry BET swag that night! (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Black Girls Rockin' Year 'Round - DJ Beverly Bond brought the Black Girls Rock! empowering-swag to the Pre-Honors Dinner Red Carpet.  (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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B. Smith Be Fly - Restaurateur, model, author and television host B. Smith looked stately yet stylish as she rocked her Chanel Cambon purse on the red carpet. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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Alesha Renee En Retro - BET host Alesha Renee rocked a retro silk pantsuit. Comfy and stylish? We're all for it. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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The Church of T.D. Jakes - BET Honors Award for Education honoree T. D. Jakes and wife Serita Ann Jakes were a pure representation of beautiful Black love on the Pre-Honors Dinner red carpet. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Producer Power - Real House Husbands of Hollywood powerful producer Stan Lathan represented on the Pre-Honors Dinner red carpet. The show premieres January 15, 10P/9C on BET.(Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

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The S.O.S. Band Is Coming to Save Us - The S.O.S. Band looked excited as they walked the red with Terry Lewis carpet of the Pre-Honors Dinner. Will they be the ones to save soul music?  (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Marva Smalls Is Larger Than Life - Viacom VP Marva Smalls name is a misnomer. This powerful woman's steeze is larger than life.(Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Mint Condition to Perform - Mint Condition gave us hit after hit in the '90s. We're waiting with bated breath to hear them rock the stage at the 2013 BET Honors! (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Decor to Die For - Gorgeous decor in gold and purple, fit for Black royalty.  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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What a Legend Looks Like - Legendary soul singer Chaka Khan stunned guest in this beautiful oxblood gown. This is what a real diva looks like. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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More Than a Menu - This is more than just a menu, this is a work of art and clearly a dinner keepsake.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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A CEO's Thank You - BET CEO Debra Lee thanked dinner guests and honorees for attending the lavish annual affair. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Gabrielle Union: The Very Vision of a Host - BET Honors host Gabrielle union absolutely glowed at Pre-Honors Dinner. Could it be her excitement over hosting or... love?  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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T.D. Jakes' Presence - Bishop T. D. Jakes' presence was clearly the present that night!(Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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Two T.V. Legends - BET CEO Debra Lee and Musical Arts Award recipient Chaka Khan stopped chatting to pose for a picture.(Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET

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Taking a Break From Politics As Usual - United States Attorney General Eric Holder and wife Dr. Sharon Malone were probably happy to get away and enjoy a different side of Washington for once!(Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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Alice Smith's Soprano Savvy - Alice Smith serenaded the Pre-Honors guests with the smooth sounds of her voice during dinner. We just adore her retro vibe. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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Alice Smith Performs - We can almost hear Ms. Smith perform through the screen. What a star!(Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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Before the Glow - Before dining, guests mixed and mingled in the historic Library of Congress lobby. What a beautiful venue. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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The Talented Tatums - Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Dr. Travis Tatum were the picture of a perfect, accomplished couple at the BET Pre-Honors dinner. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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The Gospel of T.D. Jakes - T. D. Jakes took dinner guests to church with his eloquent speaking style. This man is definitely worthy of honor. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

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Atmosphere & Ambience - Fresh lilacs, crystal place setting, custom royal purple menus, all set against the backdrop of the historic Library of Congress. Andre Wells of Events By Andre picked the perfect décor for the Pre-Honors Dinner.  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)