THE 36TH ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTED BY AT&T DREAM IN BLACK ROUSES AUDIENCES WITH DYNAMIC PERFORMANCES, TRIBUTES AND MORE

Annual Celebration Set to Premiere Sunday, August 1 st at 8pm ET/PT on BET, BET

Her and BET Gospel

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated its 36 th year honoring

excellence in gospel music, featuring soul-stirring performances that will awe audiences who love

sounds of inspiration. Hosted by gospel chart-toppers Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, this year’s

ceremony showcased an eclectic mix of gospel legends and industry standard-bearers along with

the unstoppable force of young, contemporary artists who are spreading the good news in new

ways. The annual celebration underscored the power of artists who boldly proclaim a Christ-

centered identity, represent the unique sounds of their region, and display the rich diversity filling

gospel music with a healing and uplifting energy that reaches the masses. 

A new generation of gospel artists showed up and showed out during the celebration as a testament

to the genre’s staying power. Among them, Pastor Mike Jr., nominated for multiple Stellar Awards

this year, performed “Big,” and host Jekalyn Carr belted her songs, “Change Your Story” and

“Jehovah Jireh.” Maverick City Music treated audiences to the harmonious sound of “Jireh,” and

various emerging artists such as Jokia, Terrian, and Nia Allen were spotlighted as up-and-coming

gospel talent. 

Big winners at the 36 th Stellar Gospel Music Awards include Pastor Mike Jr., who was named Artist

of the Year and won Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single or

Performance of the Year. Kierra Sheard was feted during the ceremony with Song of the Year and

Contemporary Album of the Year, and Maverick City Music won both New Artist of the Year and

Album of the Year. Other multiple Stellar Awards winners include Jonathan McReynolds, who was

named Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and as part of a group

that won Producer of the Year; and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, whose wins included Albertina Walker

Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female

Vocalist of the Year.  

Select categories and winners are featured on Instagram @TheStellars. Social media lit up during

the event, generating more than two million impressions with posts featuring performances, winners,

and other notable moments. The audience and performers were pleased to return to an in-person safety protocols were enacted as part of the in-person event.   

Among many highlights from “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” Yolanda Adams, Tamela

Mann, and Avery*Sunshine joined together to deliver a powerful tribute to Lady Tramaine

Hawkins, who was honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award presented by Toyota. The trio

performed a medley including widely-known Hawkins’ songs such as “Holy One,” “Changed,” and

“Going Up Yonder.” The Clark Sisters, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement

Award presented by AT&T, also performed rousing renditions of “Is My Living In Vain,” “Blessed &

Highly Favored,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and “His Love.” The legendary group received three

nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards. 

Kierra Sheard gave a spirited offering of “Something Has To Break,” and Sheléa and Christina

Bell sang The Clark Sisters’ classic hit “You Brought The Sunshine.” Leading nominee Jonathan

McReynolds lifted his voice to the sounds of “Grace” and “Movin’ On,” joined by Mali Music, and

CeCe Winans burst into song with “Never Lost” and “Believe For It.”  

Viewers worldwide can expect to witness these dynamic performances and find out who won across

all categories when the Stellar Awards airs Sunday, August 1, on BET, BET Her, and BET Gospel at

8 p.m. ET / PT. The show will also air August 2 on BET International. The ceremony, held at the

Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, July 10, will also be carried in

various markets for national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 5.  

The Stellar Awards not only recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, but also honors

gospel music icons and those who have been instrumental in advocating for the gospel industry. Top

nominees for this year’s ceremony include former Stellar Awards host Jonathan McReynolds, who

received eight nominations this year. Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick

City Music, and Pastor Mike, Jr. each received seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist

of the Year. Other celebrated artists receiving multiple Stellar nominations include Tasha Cobbs

Leonard, The Clark Sisters, Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir,

the Chicago Mass Choir, and host Jekalyn Carr.