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Kirk Franklin to Host 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards: Here’s the Full Nominations List
Kirk Franklin will host the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with the ceremony taped live at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 15 August 2026. Tasha Cobbs Leonard has been announced as recipient of the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, while Pastor Mike Jr. will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, both artists expressing gratitude in statements about their gospel music journeys and ministries.
John P. Kee and Kim Person lead this year's nominations with seven nods each, followed by Cobbs Leonard and JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise with six apiece. Performers set to appear include PJ Morton, Kierra Sheard, Tye Tribbett and John P. Kee among others. The show premieres on The Stellar Network on 29 August, makes its national cable debut on BET on 30 August, and airs on Bounce TV on 5 September, before broadcast syndication continues through late September; tickets are available via the Stellar Awards site and Ticketmaster as part of the wider Stellar Plus Experience running 12–15 August.
In short
- Kirk Franklin returns to host the 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. receive special honour awards
- John P. Kee and Kim Person top nominees with seven nods each
Explained simply
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is an annual celebration of gospel music that stands as one of the genre's most prestigious award shows. Now in its 41st year, the ceremony recognises achievements across multiple categories and honours many of gospel music's biggest names and most significant artistic contributions.
Kirk Franklin, a prominent gospel artist and music executive, will host this year's ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event features special recognition awards for lifetime achievement, with artists including Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. being honoured for their outstanding contributions to gospel music and ministry.
Gospel music remains a vibrant and important cultural force, particularly within African American communities and traditions worldwide. The Stellar Awards serve as a major platform for celebrating artistic excellence in gospel music and recognising the artists whose work has shaped the genre and its spiritual dimensions.