WINNERS & PICS: Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Keyla Richardson, Erica Campbell, Kierra Sheard, Lil Rel at 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards
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.
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.
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards proudly recognizes Procter & Gamble (P&G) as the event’s Title Sponsor. General Motors/Chevrolet serves as the Presenting Sponsor of the Artist of the Year Award, while Walmart is the Presenting Sponsor of the Song of the Year Award. Tide proudly presents the HBCU Choir of the Year Award, and Olay serves as the Presenting Sponsor of the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year Award. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital joins this year’s celebration in honoring Tasha Cobbs Leonard as the recipient of the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award. Additional support is provided by Walt Disney World Resort, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Rhythm and Rise Cruise, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Mecklenburg County, WBTV and Praise 102 Charlotte.
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson-Pressley as Talent Producer, and Daniel Moore as Music Director.
The Greatest Night in Gospel Music, The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on The Stellar Network, available on Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios, with the broadcast debuting on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore presentation at 10 p.m. EST (check your local provider for channel availability).
The celebration will make its national cable premiere on BET on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET before expanding to audiences nationwide through broadcast television syndication from September 5 through September 27, 2026. In Charlotte, WBTV (CBS) will serve as the local television broadcast partner. Bounce TV will air the ceremony on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
(The Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable
Achievement Award Recipient)
(The Aretha Franklin Icon Award Recipient)
(Performer)
(41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Host)
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Guest Correspondent — Sir William McCrary shares a few photos from 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Photos by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions
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MORE GOSPEL
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND THE LEGENDS OF GOSPEL: VEGAS RESIDENCY Starring; THE CLARK SISDUE TO POPULAR DEMAND THE LEGENDS OF GOSPEL: VEGAS RESIDENCY Starring; THE CLARK SISTERS, FRED HAMMOND & DEITRICK HADDON, ADD AN ADDITIONAL DATE OF OCTOBER 11th, 2026
IKON Presents has teamed up with Dr. Holly Carter, President & CEO of Relévé Entertainment, to announce “Legends of Gospel: Vegas Residency,” the first Gospel music residency on the Las Vegas Strip this music era! The opening weekend will feature three of Gospel music’s most celebrated and influential acts sharing a single Strip stage for the first time: the highest-selling female gospel group in history – The Clark Sisters; one of the most honored artists in gospel music, having earned numerous Stellar Awards, Dove Awards and a Grammy – Fred Hammond and multiple Stellar Awards, Dove Award and BET and Grammy Award- nominee – Deitrick Haddon. The historic residency begins October 8, October 9 and October 11, 2026, at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale now at GospelVegas.com.
These October dates mark the first chapter of the residency and a first in this Gospel music era. The “Legends of Gospel” is being built as an ongoing, multi-date concert series, featuring some of the biggest and brightest names in Gospel music, with further performance dates set to be revealed in coming months. Due to popular demand, an additional date of October 11th, has been added to the schedule.
The residency unites IKON Presents’ live event production and promotion expertise with Dr. Holly Carter’s deep relationships across the gospel, faith-based and entertainment worlds. Carter, who has shaped the careers of many of Gospel music’s biggest names, joins IKON Presents as a creative partner in bringing both her industry relationships and her vision for elevating Gospel music, to the Strip’s biggest stages.
“Gospel has never had a true home on the Las Vegas Strip — until now,” said Neal Carter, spokesperson for IKON Presents. “Partnering with Dr. Holly Carter on this residency was essential — her relationships and her vision for Gospel music made this the right team to finally bring this genre to the Strip the way it deserves to be.”
Show Producer and Head of Production for Relevé Entertainment Keesha Brickhouse commented, “Producing the first Gospel residency in more than 60 years is an incredible honor. It’s redefining what’s possible for Gospel music, and I’m excited to be a part of this historic moment.”
Show Creator and Executive Producer, Dr. Holly Carter added, “For years, I have envisioned bringing Gospel to Las Vegas on this scale. To now unite legendary artists in a groundbreaking residency is more than a milestone, it’s a moment. And I thank God for it. I finally get to fully step into my creativity and bring this vision to life.”
