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

Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin will host the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on August 15, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The announcement came in early June 2026 alongside the release of this year's nominations.

John P. Kee and Kim Person lead all nominees with seven nominations each. Tasha Cobbs Leonard and JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise each received six nominations. The full list of nominees spans traditional gospel, contemporary Christian, and urban gospel categories.

The awards ceremony is the centerpiece of the three-day Stellar Plus Experience, running August 12 through 15. The event includes masterclasses, live performances, and a songwriters symposium designed to connect artists, producers, and industry professionals.

June 2026 was a busy month for gospel music releases. CeCe Winans released her long-awaited album "The Hymns" on June 5. Tori Kelly dropped "God Must Really Love Me" on June 12. The debut radio single from The Choir Room, featuring Fred Hammond, reached number one on the charts.

Veteran gospel artist Donnie McClurkin announced plans to release his final recording project, titled "FINALLY," in the summer of 2026. The announcement drew an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists across the gospel community.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards have recognized excellence in gospel music since 1985. The show is broadcast nationally and draws some of the largest audiences in gospel music each year.