The awards, which honor the top female R&B, rap/hip-hop and gospel artists, will be broadcast in the metropolitan area at 8 PM ET on Channel 11; check local listings. Former Aida Toni Braxton will co-host the awards with Ciara and Brian McKnight. Aretha Franklin will receive the Lena Horne Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. Franklin will duet with Stevie Wonder — who will present Franklin with her award — on "Until You Come Back to Me."

Others set to perform include Amerie, Braxton, John Legend and McKnight.

Shoshana Bean, who is currently starring as Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked, played Shelley in the original cast of the Tony-winning musical Hairspray. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Bean attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music before heading to NYC. She was first cast in the Off-Broadway production of Godspell and then in the national tour of Leader of the Pack. Bean was also seen in the all-star Hair benefit concert. The singer-actress is currently working on her debut solo album for Pure Records.