Verizon Communications Inc. is a global broadband and telecommunications company and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company's headquarters are located in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET. BET commissioned Artist/Sculptor and Hip Hop culture icon Carlos Mare139 Rodriguez to design the Award sculpture.