India, June 10 -- Gospel legend Kirk Franklin was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards, celebrating his transformative impact on music and culture. Held on 9 June at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the ceremony recognised Franklin alongside fellow honorees Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Snoop Dogg for their contributions to entertainment. (Also read: Jamie Foxx shares haunting realisation in tear-jerking BET Awards acceptance speech, in near-death experience aftermath)

Introduced by rapper T.I., who praised Franklin for bridging the gap between gospel and hip-hop, Franklin took the stage to deliver a deeply personal acceptance speech. According to People.com, he began by acknowledging Gertrude, a mother who ado...