Lisa Knowles-Smith Leads 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards With Multiple Wins

Lisa Knowles-Smith took home the most awards at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, held in August 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The ceremony, hosted by Kirk Franklin, celebrated the best in gospel music across dozens of categories. Knowles-Smith, a Detroit-based gospel artist and daughter of gospel legend Rance Allen, had a standout night that put her at the top of the winner's list.

The Stellar Awards are among the most prestigious honors in gospel music, recognizing artists across traditional, contemporary, and urban gospel categories. The 41st edition drew performers and industry figures from across the country to Charlotte.

Kirk Franklin, who hosted the event, also performed during the broadcast. Franklin recently released a new single, "Thank You For Everything," featuring Karen Clark Sheard, which debuted at the awards show on August 30.

Other notable moments from the evening included recognition of artists who have shaped gospel music over the past year. The Stellar Awards have been held annually since 1985 and are broadcast on television and streaming platforms.

The Journal of Gospel Music reported that the August 13 Stellar Awards Nominee Mixer, hosted by ASCAP and Motown Gospel, set the tone for the celebration weeks before the main event.

Knowles-Smith has been a fixture in gospel music for years, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Clark Sisters family. Her wins at the 41st Stellar Awards mark a high point in a career that spans multiple decades.