(CHARLOTTE, NC) August 15, 2026 -- The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated its 41st year honoring excellence in gospel music with an unforgettable evening of powerful performances, moving tributes and special honors celebrating the artists and trailblazers who continue to shape the genre. Hosted by 45-time Stellar Award winner and 20-time GRAMMY Award winner Kirk Franklin, this year's ceremony brought "The Greatest Night in Gospel Music" to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a celebration fittingly themed "Feels Like Home."

Held at the Spectrum Center on Saturday, August 15, the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards brought together gospel legends, contemporary hitmakers and a new generation of rising talent for an evening showcasing the faith, community, innovation and musical excellence that have defined the Stellar Awards for more than four decades.

A new generation of gospel artists shared the stage with some of the genre's most celebrated voices throughout the evening. Aaron Cole performed alongside Tenroc and Jonathan McReynolds, while emerging artists Céjae and JustCordell showcased the next wave of gospel talent. The celebration also featured performances from Darrel Walls, Maranda Curtis, Marvin Sapp, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, William Murphy, Vincent Bohanan & SOV and more.

Among the evening's most anticipated moments, gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard was honored with the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her extraordinary career, influence and contributions to gospel music. Pastor Mike Jr. received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, celebrating his impact on the genre and his continued work expanding the reach of gospel music through music and ministry.

Among the evening's most celebrated moments, gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard received the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her extraordinary career, influence and contributions to gospel music. Pastor Mike Jr. received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, celebrating his remarkable impact on the genre and continued influence through music and ministry.

The night delivered an expansive lineup of collaborations and performances, including Jekalyn Carr with Karen Clark Sheard and Yolanda Adams; Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz with Isaac Carree, Jazze Pha, Gaz Money and Johnny Gill; John P. Kee with Zacardi Cortez; Kelontae Gavin with Melvin Williams and Paul Porter; and Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE.

Additional performances included Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Maranda Curtis, Marvin Sapp, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, William Murphy, Vincent Bohanan & SOV, and more.

The celebration also welcomed a star-studded group of presenters, including Adia, Charles Jenkins, Erica Campbell, Jamal Roberts, Jonathan Nelson, KEM, Keyla Richardson, Lil Rel Howery, MAJOR., Marvin Sapp, Nate Brown, Shirley Caesar, Travis Greene, VaShawn Mitchell and Vickie Winans, with a special appearance by NotKarltonBanks.

Viewers nationwide can experience the performances, tributes and unforgettable moments when the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards premieres on The Stellar Network Saturday, August 29 at 8PM ET, with an encore presentation at 10PM ET. The celebration makes its national cable premiere on BET Sunday, August 30 at 8PM ET, with an additional airing at 10:30PM ET. The ceremony will expand to audiences nationwide through broadcast television syndication from September 5 through September 27, 2026, with Bounce TV airing the show Saturday, September 5 at 1PM ET.

The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards marked a new chapter for the long-running celebration as Gospel Music's Greatest Night made its home in the Queen City. The flagship ceremony capped the Stellar Plus Experience, a multi-day celebration bringing gospel music fans, artists and industry leaders together in Charlotte for live music, emerging artist showcases, industry programming, comedy, community events and more.

For additional updates, follow The Stellar Awards on social media and visit StellarAwards.com.

ABOUT THE STELLAR TV NETWORK

Launched in April of 2023 under the management of Central City Productions, Inc., The Stellar Network fills the void for a family-friendly, entertainment, lifestyle network targeting Black audiences. The Stellar Network is the first in uplifting content with positive, inspirational, and entertainment programming. Stellar's goal is to be the most preferred network to Black audiences in the country. The Stellar Network can be found on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Vizio & Vizio WatchFree+ (app), and Xumo Play. For more information visit www.stellartv.com.

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a national broadcast television producer, programmer, and syndicator of its exclusively owned African-American programming. Celebrating 55 years of broadcasting Black excellence with uplifting and entertaining original television content, CCP's award-winning television programs include the Black Music Honors (www.blackmusichonors.com), Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, Black College Quiz Show Series (www.blackcollegequiz.com), America's Black Forum (www.americasblackforum.com), Mentoring Kings and Queens, and Black History Honors among many others. For more information, visit www.ccptv.com.

CATEGORY #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records / Gumbo Studios

CATEGORY #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
Promises (Live) ~ Alescia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

CATEGORY #3
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent

CATEGORY #7
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent

CATEGORY #8
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
TIE
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent

CATEGORY #9
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Alescia Knowles-Smith & Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label

CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
Brandon Camphor & One Way ~ In Christ Alone ~ TOMii Entertainment

CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studio

CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Erica Campbell ~ Trust and Obey - London ~ My Block Records Inc.

CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words ~ Platoon

CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul Of Future Worship Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E

CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music

CATEGORY #18
URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
On The Way Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Find Jesus ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent

CATEGORY #22
TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music

CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents: Almost Home - A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop S.Y. Younger ~ Ramp Records, Under Exclusive License to MNRK Records LP

CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Reach Records

CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Pure N Heart; Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart Celebrate Jesus 20yrs; Music2ChangeU

CATEGORY #26
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment

CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
PJ Morton ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios

CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Promises ~ Todd Dulaney ~ DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services

CATEGORY #29
PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
Your Name ~ Jovonta Patton ~ Newton Street Entertainment/Integrity

CATEGORY #30
RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
Movin ~ JustCordell ~ Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #31
HBCU CHOIR OF THE YEAR
The Fort Valley State University Choir ft. Loren Michelle & Tiffany Boone

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS

TOP MARKET OF THE YEAR
WPZE Praise 102.5 ~ Atlanta

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR
WXHL 89.1 FM Reach Gospel Radio ~ Wilmington

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
WWDA FM 101.9 ~ Clarksville

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
WTRC Praise 98.3 ~ live365.com/station/a33136

SYNDICATED GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell ~ Erica Campbell with Arlen "Griff" Griffin & Cheryl Jackson

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
Trey Nickelson ~ WBZF-FM – Glory 98.5

 

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