Kierra Sheard Receives BMI Impact Award at 2026 Gospel Music Awards in Nashville
Kierra Sheard was honored with the BMI Impact Award at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, held July 21 in Nashville. She also shared the Gospel Songwriter of the Year title with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Kerry Douglas. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Karen Clark Sheard, and Tamela Mann were among those who attended.
Kierra Sheard received the BMI Impact Award at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards on July 21, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony was held at BMI's Nashville office.
The award recognized Sheard's career contributions to gospel music, her songwriting, and her ongoing ministry. Tribute performances during the ceremony included Darrel Walls performing "Indescribable," DOE performing "This Is Me," and Tasha Cobbs Leonard performing "Hang On" with Karen Clark Sheard and Tamela Mann in the audience.
Sheard also shared the Gospel Songwriter of the Year title in a three-way tie with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Kerry Douglas. It was the second time the siblings had shared that specific honor, having previously won together in 2022.
Other highlights from the ceremony: "Lead Me On," co-written by Jonathan Jay, Chandler Moore, and Jeff Pardo, won Gospel Song of the Year. Capitol CMG Publishing took Gospel Publisher of the Year. The event recognized 16 first-time BMI award winners, including Adia, Jazze Pha, Travis Finley, Dustin "SLATE" Slater, and Keran Vega.
BMI CEO Mike O'Neill hosted the event alongside Executive Vice President Mike Steinberg and Vice President of Creative Catherine Brewton.
