The two “Dreamgirls” stars, Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson, scored big at this year's BET Award ceremony, an event that honors black actors, singers and sports stars. They each took home two trophies.

Beyonce who led the nominees with six was awarded the prize for Best Female R & B Artist and Video Of The Year for "Irreplaceable."

Former American Idol contestant, Jennifer Hudson, who also won an Oscar earlier this year, took home awards for Best New Artist and Best Actress.

Forest Whitaker was named best male actor for his work in The Last King of Scotland during the ceremony, hosted for the third time by actress-comedian Mo'Nique.

The list of winners included Diana Ross who was given the lifetime achievement award, Ne-Yo who took home the award for best male R&B artist and “Crazy” singer, Gnarls Barkley, won for best group.

During the show, late soul singer James Brown was honored by hip-hop group Public Enemy with a stirring rendition of one of his landmark hits, “Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud).”

“James Brown gets credit for laying the musical foundations of hip hop, but he set some attitudes for the culture as well. He was pro-black, pro-strong,” said civil rights activist and longtime Brown friend, the Rev. Al Sharpton.

“It's time for us to pick up the legacy and teach another generation to wear their shoulders back and hold their heads high and be able to say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud.”