LAS VEGAS, NV (July 28, 2023) - The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, known as the "Greatest Night in Gospel Music," invites viewers across the country to experience the power of faith and inspiration through extraordinary performances and well-deserved accolades. Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, this must-see event premieres on the newly-launched Stellar Network on Sunday, July 30 at 6 p.m. ET (available on Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios); on BET on Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m. ET and on Bounce TV on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. ET. In addition, the 2023 Stellar Awards will broadcast nationwide in TV syndication from August 7, 2023, to September 10, 2023. Viewers can check with their local providers for availability.
With appearances and powerhouse performances viewers won’t want to miss, this unforgettable evening celebrates Gospel music's rich diversity, exceptional talent and unwavering spirit with some of the industry's most iconic artists and special honorees. The 2023 Stellar Awards telecast features moving performances by two legends of the genre, CeCe Winans (Aretha Franklin Icon Award honoree) and Dottie Peoples (Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award honoree). An electrifying opening performance of "Miracles" and "Impossible" by Kierra Sheard Kelly and Pastor Mike, Jr., the night's biggest winner, sets the stage for an awe-inspiring praise party that embodies the essence and impact of Gospel music.
Other award recipients and performers appearing on the show include Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham (James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award), Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones (Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award), DOE, Zacardi Cortez, Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett, Naomi Raine of Maverick City Music, Natalie Grant, Charles Jenkins, Isaac Carree, Jazze Pha, Jevon Dewand & The TrapStarz, Maranda Curtis, Tim Bowman Jr. & Faith City Music, and Zak Williams & 1 Akord. Also performing on the AT&T Emerging Voices stage is Lena Byrd Miles, Bishop S.Y. Younger, and Victory.
Presenters include Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Brian Courtney Wilson, Erica Campbell, Isabel Davis, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, Jason Clayborn, NOTKARLTONBANKS, Shirley Caesar and Travis Greene for this distinctive celebration of Gospel music's finest.
Prior to the main show, The Stellar Awards Blue Carpet Special hosted by Jekalyn Carr, Angel Taylor and Akintunde, which covers the star-studded arrivals of the industry’s most celebrated figures, will be televised on the Stellar Network on July 30 at 5 p.m. ET.
AT&T Dream in Black proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 38th Annual Stellar Awards. Additionally, Aflac, GM, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald's, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Spotify, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart joined as supporters of this year's program.
The 38th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced byDon Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer. Michael A. Johnson serves as Producer and Director.
Tune in to experience the uplifting spirit of the Stellar Awards on the Stellar Network, BET, and Bounce TV.
For more information about the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a complete list of this year’s award recipients, please visit www.stellarawards.com. Stay connected and follow the Stellar Gospel Music Awards on social media: @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter, and Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is the first and only Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in over 140 markets nationwide. For more information, please visit www.thestellarawards.com.
Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a national broadcast television producer and syndicator of its exclusively owned African-American programming. Celebrating over 50 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), Black History Honors, America’s Black Forum (www.americasblackforum.com), Mentoring Kings (www.mentoringking.com), and Mentoring Queens (www.mentoringqueen.com), among many others. For more information, visit www.stellartv.com.
For over 50 years in television programming targeted to Black audiences, Central City Productions has become the most recognized and respected company in the Faith-based community. Going forward, we are excited about the continued success we will enjoy in launching our Stellar Network. The Stellar Network fills the void for a Family-Friendly, entertainment, lifestyle network targeting Black audiences. 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 nationwide.
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.
For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, follow us on social @BET_PR.