41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Brings Gospel’s Greatest Night to Charlotte

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated 41 years of honoring excellence in gospel music with an unforgettable evening of powerful performances, moving tributes and special honors recognizing the artists and trailblazers who continue to shape the genre.

Hosted by 45-time Stellar Award winner and 20-time GRAMMY Award winner Kirk Franklin, the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards brought “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music” to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a celebration fittingly themed “Feels Like Home.”

Held Saturday, August 15, at the Spectrum Center, the ceremony united gospel legends, contemporary hitmakers and a new generation of rising talent for a night rooted in faith, community, innovation and musical excellence.

Gospel’s Greatest Night Takes Over Charlotte

The Stellar Awards have spent more than four decades celebrating the voices, songs and ministries that move gospel music forward, and this year’s ceremony showcased just how expansive the genre has become.

A new generation of artists shared the stage with some of gospel’s most celebrated voices. Aaron Cole performed alongside Tenroc and Jonathan McReynolds, while emerging artists Céjae and JustCordell stepped into the spotlight and represented the next wave of gospel talent.

The evening also featured performances from Darrel Walls, Maranda Curtis, Marvin Sapp, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, William Murphy, Vincent Bohanan & SOV and more.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. Receive Special Honors

Two of the evening’s biggest moments belonged to Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr.

Cobbs Leonard received the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her extraordinary career, influence and contributions to gospel music. Through a catalog of worship anthems and a ministry that has reached audiences around the world, Cobbs Leonard has become one of the defining gospel voices of her generation.

Pastor Mike Jr. received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, celebrating his impact on gospel music and his continued work expanding the genre’s reach through music, innovation and ministry.

The honors celebrated two artists whose work represents both the tradition and continued evolution of gospel music.

Collaborations Bring the Stellar Stage to Life

Some of the night’s most exciting moments came as artists joined forces for special collaborations.

Jekalyn Carr shared the stage with gospel royalty Karen Clark Sheard and Yolanda Adams, while Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz were joined by Isaac Carree, Jazze Pha, Gaz Money and Johnny Gill.

John P. Kee teamed with Zacardi Cortez, while Kelontae Gavin performed alongside Melvin Williams and Paul Porter.

Tye Tribbett also brought his signature energy to the Stellar stage with ABLAZE, continuing a night that moved effortlessly between traditional gospel, contemporary sounds, worship and genre-blending performances.

Additional performers included Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Maranda Curtis, Marvin Sapp, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, William Murphy, Vincent Bohanan & SOV and more.

Gospel Stars and Entertainment Favorites Join the Celebration

The Stellar stage also welcomed a star-studded group of presenters throughout the evening.

Presenters included Adia, Charles Jenkins, Erica Campbell, Jamal Roberts, Jonathan Nelson, KEM, Keyla Richardson, Lil Rel Howery, MAJOR., Marvin Sapp, Nate Brown, Shirley Caesar, Travis Greene, VaShawn Mitchell and Vickie Winans, with a special appearance by NotKarltonBanks.

Together, the performers, presenters, honorees and guests created a celebration that reflected generations of gospel music while making room for the artists who are helping define what comes next.

The Stellar Awards Find a Home in the Queen City

This year’s ceremony marked a new chapter for the long-running celebration as Gospel Music’s Greatest Night made its home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The flagship awards ceremony capped the Stellar Plus Experience, a multi-day celebration that brought gospel fans, artists, creatives and industry leaders together throughout Charlotte for live music, emerging artist showcases, industry programming, comedy, community events and more.

With the theme “Feels Like Home,” the Stellar Awards’ arrival in the Queen City became more than an awards show. It was a gathering of community, culture, ministry and music that celebrated gospel’s legacy while looking toward its future.

When to Watch

Viewers nationwide will get the opportunity to experience the performances, tributes and memorable moments when the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards premieres on The Stellar Network Saturday, August 29 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by an encore presentation at 10 p.m. ET.

The celebration makes its national cable premiere on BET Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. ET, with an additional airing at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The ceremony will then expand to audiences nationwide through broadcast television syndication from September 5 through September 27, 2026, with Bounce TV airing the show Saturday, September 5 at 1 p.m. ET.

After 41 years, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards continue to prove that gospel music is not only honoring its history — it is creating its next chapter. And this year, that chapter began in Charlotte.