The 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards will present special honors to two of gospel music’s biggest stars.
Organizers announced Tasha Cobbs Leonard will receive the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, while Pastor Mike Jr. will pick up the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award next month at the annual celebration of gospel.
The Stellars will recognize Cobbs Leonard’s achievements as a worship leader and recording artist, while Pastor Mike Jr. is being singled out for his success on the music charts and contributions to expanding the reach of gospel music through his ministry.
“This honor means more to me than I can fully express,” Cobbs Leonard said in a statement. “Gospel music has given me a place to share my faith, my testimony, and every part of my journey, and I have never taken that privilege lightly.”
Related: Pastor Mike Jr. on the ‘Thin Line Between Relevancy and Irrelevancy’
Pastor Mike Jr., who is commonly referred to by fans as “PMJ,” thanked the people who supported him along the way.
“This recognition is bigger than me,” he said. “It’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and the incredible people who have supported this journey. I pray my music and ministry continue to inspire hope, faith, and purpose for generations to come.”
In an interview with Urban Hollywood 411 ahead of last year’s Stellar Awards, PMJ reflected on the pushback he faced for blending contemporary gospel with hip-hop influences.
“Whenever people can’t categorize you, they criticize you. And so, for me, whenever you attempt to step out the box, you run the risk of being attacked, and you have to be prepared for that,” he explained.
Still, he vowed to “continue to push the genre forward.” Days later, the Birmingham, Alabama minister went on to win a leading nine trophies at last year’s ceremony.
Hosted by Kirk Franklin, the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The ceremony premieres on The Stellar Network on Saturday, Aug. 29, before airing on BET on Sunday, Aug. 30. The show will also roll out in national broadcast syndication beginning Sept. 5. Tickets for the ceremony and additional details can be found on the official Stellar Awards website.
Don Jackson serves as executive producer of the awards show, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer and executive in charge of production. Michael A. Johnson is producer and director.
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