Kirk Franklin Tapped to Host 41st Annual Stellar Awards
GOSPEL MUSIC’S GREATEST NIGHT, THE 41ST STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS,
SET TO IMPACT CHARLOTTE, NC ON AUGUST 15TH
TASHA COBBS LEONARD SET TO RECEIVE
THE ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
PASTOR MIKE JR. SET TO RECEIVE
THE THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
THE 41ST STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED PERFORMANCE LINEUP FEATURING LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON,
KIERRA SHEARD, JEKALYN CARR, DARREL WALLS, JOHN P. KEE,
TYE TRIBBETT FEAT. ABLAZE, JUSTCORDELL,
LISA KNOWLES-SMITH & THE BROWN SINGERS, PJ MORTON, & MORE
CEREMONY HOST KIRK FRANKLIN SET TO DELIVER SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
41ST STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS SET TO PREMIERE ON
THE STELLAR NETWORK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29TH AT 8PM/7C;
ENCORE PRESENTATION AT 10PM/9C
41ST STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS
SET TO AIR SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH AT 8PM/7C ON BET
VIEW FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS HERE
(July 21, 2026) – Today, Central City Productions announced the first wave of performers and special honorees for the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, hosted by Kirk Franklin. Under this year’s theme, “Feels Like Home,” gospel music’s greatest night will bring together the genre’s most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for an unforgettable evening of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center. Tickets are available now at StellarAwards.com.
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will deliver an unforgettable night of music and celebration with an all-star lineup of performances from Aaron Cole, Childlike CiCi, Darrel Walls, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr, Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz featuring Isaac Carree and Jazze Pha, JustCordell, John P. Kee, Le’Andria Johnson, Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE, and Vincent Bohanan & SOV. Spanning traditional gospel, contemporary worship, choir music, and genre-blending collaborations, this year’s performance lineup reflects the depth, diversity, and continued evolution of gospel music while celebrating the artists who are inspiring audiences around the world through faith, excellence, and powerful musical ministry.
This year’s ceremony will also recognize two of gospel music’s most influential voices with special honors celebrating their extraordinary impact on the genre. Tasha Cobbs Leonard will be presented with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, honoring her remarkable career, global influence, and powerful legacy as one of the most transformative worship leaders and recording artists of her generation. Additionally, Pastor Mike Jr. will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to gospel music, chart-topping success, and unwavering commitment to expanding the reach of the Gospel through innovation and ministry. Together, these prestigious honors celebrate two artists whose music, leadership, and faith continue to inspire millions around the world.
“This honor means more to me than I can fully express. Gospel music has given me a place to share my faith, my testimony, and every part of my journey, and I have never taken that privilege lightly. To receive the Aretha Franklin Icon Award is deeply humbling, not only as a celebration of what God has allowed me to accomplish, but also as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with this platform. I’m grateful to my family, my team, the gospel community, and every person who has allowed this music to become part of their lives,” shares Tasha Cobbs Leonard.
Pastor Mike Jr., shares, “I’m truly honored to receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award. This recognition is bigger than me, it’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and the incredible people who have supported this journey. I pray my music and ministry continue to inspire hope, faith, and purpose for generations to come.”
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 Jacksonwith 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 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping tickets are available now at stellarawards.com. A full list of the 41st annual nominees can be found on the official Stellar Awards website. For more information, please visit stellarawards.com and join the conversation using the hashtag #TheStellars.
