The stars of gospel music gathered at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Saturday, August 16, 2025, for the historic 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Hosted by the incomparable sibling duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, the evening proved why the Stellars continue to be known as “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music.”

With the theme “OUR MUSIC, OUR VOICE, OUR CULTURE,” the program blended timeless tradition with fresh expressions of faith. From Jonathan McReynolds’ heartfelt artistry to Tramaine Hawkins’ powerhouse vocals, and the energetic performances of Pastor Mike Jr. and Transformation Worship, the night was a showcase of gospel’s unmatched ability to inspire.

One of the night’s defining moments came when Pastor Mike Jr. made history, winning his fourth consecutive Artist of the Year award, setting a Stellar Awards record. His presence on stage — both as a performer and honoree — highlighted his continuing impact on gospel music today.

Other major award recipients included:

• CeCe Winans – Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year

• Adia – New Artist of the Year

• Don Jackson – James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award

  

These wins underscored the balance between gospel’s rising voices, established legends, and the visionaries who have built platforms for the genre to thrive.

Adding to the excitement were appearances by Donnie McClurkin, Jekalyn Carr, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Todd Dulaney, William Murphy, and the New Direction Gospel Choir of Tennessee State University, who electrified the stage with youthful energy.

Celebrity presenters from across entertainment — including Lil Rel Howery, Trina Braxton, Dante Bowe, Serayah, Dominique Perry, DOE, Isaac Carree, Tyler Lepley, and DeVon Franklin — underscored gospel’s wide-reaching cultural influence.

40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

Category #1 – ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

Category #2 – SONG OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Michael McClure Jr., Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, & David “DLo” Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

Category #3 – MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #4 – ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

CATEGORY #5 – DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

CATEGORY #6 – NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #7 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #8 – CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #9 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Michael McClure Jr., & David “DLo” Outing II; Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #10 – CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

CATEGORY #11 – TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Brandon Camphor & One Way; Hymn Medley; Tomii Entertainment

CATEGORY #12 – CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #13 – TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide

CATEGORY #14 – CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

CATEGORY #15 – TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music

CATEGORY #16 – CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #17 – TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Determined; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #18 – URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #19 – MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr., Tony “Mr.YNOT” Minifield, Drae Rudolph & Kevin “Krispy” Key/Moon Men; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #20 TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #21 – CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Vincent Bohanan & SOV; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent

CATEGORY #22 – TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #23 – SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Bishop S.Y. Younger; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)

CATEGORY #24 – RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Canton Jones and CAJO Records Presents The Free Life Experience; The Free Life Experience; CAJO Records

CATEGORY #25 – YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– Brent Jones presents The Fire; Brent Jones presents The Fire; JDI Entertainment

CATEGORY #26 – QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc

CATEGORY #27 – RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– Still Karen; Justin Foster; Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #28 – PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services

CATEGORY #29 – PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Overflow ft. Todd Dulaney; Transformation Worship; Represent Records, Re: Think Music

CATEGORY #30 – RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Amen; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group

JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
– Don Jackson

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS

TOP MARKET OF THE YEAR

– WBBP 1480 AM, Memphis, TN

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR

– WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington, DE

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR

– WTSK – Praise 93.3/ 790 AM, Tuscaloosa, AL

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR

– GODRadio1.com, https://godradio1.com

SYNDICATED GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR

– Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Griff & Cheryl Jackson

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR

– Melissa Wade; WNNL, The Light 103.9/ Melissa Wade in the Midday

Viewers will have multiple opportunities to experience the celebration:

• Stellar Network – August 30th at 8PM & 11PM EST

• BET – August 31st at 8PM ET/7PM CT

• Bounce TV – September 28th at 1PM EST/12PM CT

• Broadcast Syndication – September 6–28, 2025

• Vizio & Xumo Play – Streaming begins September 29, 2025

Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and leading partners including Mielle, Olay Body, Tide, Chevy, Walmart, Aflac, AT&T, AARP, State Farm, McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson, and St. Jude, the 40th Annual Stellar Awards stood as a powerful testament: gospel music is not just a sound — it’s a movement, a culture, and a legacy that continues to thrive.

ABOUT THE STELLAR TV NETWORK

Launched in April of 2023 under the management of Central City Productions, Inc., The Stellar Network fills the void for a family-friendly, entertainment, lifestyle network targeting Black audiences. The Stellar Network is the first in uplifting content with positive, inspirational, and entertainment programming. Stellar’s goal is to be the most preferred network to Black audiences in the country. The Stellar Network can be found on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Vizio & Vizio WatchFree+ (app), and Xumo Play. For more information visit www.stellartv.com

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a national broadcast television producer, programmer, and syndicator of its exclusively owned African-American programming. Celebrating 55 years of broadcasting Black excellence with uplifting and entertaining original television content, CCP’s award-winning television programs include the Black Music Honors (www.blackmusichonors.com), Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, Black College Quiz Show Series (www.blackcollegequiz.com), America’s Black Forum (www.americasblackforum.com), Mentoring Kings (www.mentoringking.com), Mentoring Queens (www.mentoringqueen.com), Taste of the Holidays, Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, and Black History Honors among many others. For more information, visit www.ccptv.com.