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African American Christian
Jun 15, 20261 views2 min read

Kirk Franklin to Host 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Charlotte This August

Kirk Franklin will host the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on August 15, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. John P. Kee and Kim Person lead the nominations with seven nods each. The event is part of a three-day Stellar Plus Experience running August 12 through 15.

Kirk Franklin to Host 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards in Charlotte This August
Source:Billboard

<p>Kirk Franklin will host the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on August 15, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The ceremony is the centerpiece of a three-day Stellar Plus Experience running from August 12 through 15, which includes master classes, songwriting symposiums, and community events.</p>

<p>John P. Kee and Kim Person lead the 2026 nominations with seven nods each. Tasha Cobbs Leonard and JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise follow with six nominations apiece.</p>

<p>Other top nominees include Lisa Knowles Smith and The Brown Singers, Jekalyn Carr, Vincent Bohanan and SOV, and Erica Campbell, each with five nominations. Jonathan McReynolds, Asaun Bynum, Adia, and Darrel Walls each received four nominations.</p>

<p>The Artist of the Year category features Darrel Walls, Jekalyn Carr, Kim Person, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Tye Tribbett. The HBCU Choir of the Year category includes the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, Morgan State University Choir, North Carolina A&T Fellowship Gospel Choir, Southern University Gospel Choir, and The Fort Valley State University Choir.</p>

<p>The nominations also reflect the crossover reach of gospel music. Mariah Carey and The Clark Sisters received a nod in the Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group category for their collaboration "Jesus I Do." Lecrae, T.I., and Killer Mike are nominated in the Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year category for "Headphones."</p>

<p>The Gospel Radio Awards will take place on Friday, August 14, at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, the day before the main ceremony.</p>

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