Chaka Khan, Anthony Anderson lead Soul Train Awards' return to Chicago

The ceremony will be taped Nov. 5 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, with actor and comedian Anthony Anderson serving as host. The show will air Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Central on BET and CBS, marking the awards' first appearance on the broadcast network.

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The return carries particular significance for Chicago. It was in 1971 that the late Don Cornelius created and launched Soul Train on local television, introducing a program that would go on to change the way Black music, performers, fashion and dance were presented to national audiences. Its combination of live performances, memorable dance lines and emerging musical talent made it a television institution during its 35-year run.

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Although the Soul Train Awards have been staged in several other cities since their introduction in 1987, this year's ceremony brings the franchise back to its beginnings. BET President Louis Carr, a Chicago native, described the homecoming as a full-circle moment and an opportunity to recognize the city's contribution to the show's legacy.

Anderson, who previously hosted the BET Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, is also looking forward to the Chicago appearance. He has spoken about the importance of Cornelius' original vision and the platform it created for Black artists.

A hometown favorite will be among the evening's featured honorees. Chicago-born singer Chaka Khan will receive the Classic Soul Honor, recognizing a career that has spanned decades and helped shape the sound of R&B and funk. The 11-time Grammy winner remains one of the music industry's most distinctive voices, with hits including "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," "Ain't Nobody" and "I'm Every Woman."

The program will also recognize contemporary artists. Singer-songwriter Elmiene is this year's New Soul honoree, while Durand Bernarr will receive the Soul Personified Honor. The selections reflect the show's effort to connect the musicians who established the genres with those bringing new influences to the sound.

There will be opportunities for fans to participate, too. BET's Soul Train Line: You're Up! contest invites dancers to submit 30-second videos showcasing their moves. The winner will receive $5,000, with nine additional finalists receiving $500 apiece. The winning entry will also be featured during the broadcast.

Presented with the City of Chicago, the 2026 awards are produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Spotify is the exclusive music streaming partner, with Toyota serving as the automotive partner.

For Chicago, the occasion is an opportunity to revisit an important chapter of its entertainment history while welcoming a national audience back to the city. Cornelius gave the world a weekly celebration of music and movement that left an unmistakable mark on popular culture. This November, that legacy gets a hometown spotlight once again.