Gospel music’s biggest night brought the heat to Charlotte. The 41st Stellar Awards packed the Spectrum Center on August 15, with Stellar Awards honoring the year’s most impactful artists and songs. Kirk Franklin, the GRAMMY-winning architect of modern gospel, hosted the celebration with the kind of energy the room demanded.
The night’s standouts were hard to miss. Lisa Knowles-Smith and The Brown Singers dominated the board, walking away with five awards including Song of the Year and Quartet of the Year. Vincent Bohanan and his choir SOV claimed three awards, among them Album of the Year and Choir of the Year. It was the kind of showing that reminds you why these artists command such respect in the culture.
The Faces That Showed Up
Lil Rel Howery
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Lil Rel Howery attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Press Room at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Lisa Knowles-Smith (C) & The Brown Singers Vaughn attend the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Press Room at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Ann Nesby
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Ann Nesby attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Kirk Franklin & Tammy Franklin
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: (L-R) Kirk Franklin and Tammy Franklin attend the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Kem
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Kem attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Semaje
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Semaje attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Karen Clark Sheard
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Karen Clark Sheard attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Yolanda Adams
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Yolanda Adams attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Erica Campbell
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Erica Campbell attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Jonathan Nelson
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Jonathan Nelson attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Camp
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Camp attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Keyla Richardson
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Keyla Richardson attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Press Room at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Tasha Cobbs
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Tasha Cobbs Leonard attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Press Room at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Pastor Mike Jr.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Pastor Mike Jr. attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards Press Room at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
Vincent Bohanan
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Vincent Bohanan attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)
