_{^{Dr. Arthur R. Beard III}}

The program was held July 26 at First Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham and also recognized guitarist Emery Kidd and drummer Reggie Seals.

_{^{Mr. Rickey Smiley directing the choir}}
Nationally known radio and television personality Rickey Smiley served as special guest emcee for the program.

_{^{Mrs. Janice L. Beard, mother Dr. Arthur R. Beard III}}

Beard was recognized for his work as First Memorial Baptist Church’s minister of music and for his contributions as a gospel artist, educator and academic, while also serving as music director for Rickey Smiley.

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New Hope Baptist Church will present High Praise Weekend: He’s Worthy! Sept. 26-27 through its Worship and Creative Arts Ministries.

The weekend will begin Saturday, Sept. 26, at 4 p.m. with ChoirFest, featuring choirs, groups, dance ministries and other special guests.

Saturday’s announced participants include David Walker & High Praise, Gadsden City Community Choir, Alabama 1st COGIC Choir, Love City Church Choir, Birmingham Mass Choir, East Birmingham Church Dance Team, Mt. Ararat Dance Ministry and New Hope’s Unspeakable Mime.

High Praise Weekend will continue Sunday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m., featuring the New Hope Mass Choir along with Stellar Award-winning JJ Hairston, James Bignon and James Peoples & Evidence.

The events will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, 1740 Cleburn Ave. SW in Birmingham, Dr. Gregory L. Clarke, pastor.

All events are free.

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The new release is now available on streaming platforms and continues Henderson’s growing catalog of gospel music. His previous releases include Blooming Season, A New Thing and the live album Release (Live).

Henderson describes his music as centered on worship and pointing listeners back to Jesus. In addition to recording music, he serves as a worship leader and producer.

“For You Know The Plans For Me” is available now on major streaming platforms.

Watch the official lyric video for “For You Know The Plans For Me” below.

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The Stellar Awards were held Aug. 15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pastor Mike Jr., whose name is Michael McClure Jr., is senior pastor of Birmingham’s Rock City Church. He received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award during this year’s Stellar Awards celebration.

He also won Producer of the Year with David “DLo” Outing II for the I Got Away EP, released through Rock City Media Group.

The Birmingham and Rock City connection continued with JustCordell, who won Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year for “Movin,” also released through Rock City Media Group.

The honors continue Pastor Mike Jr.’s presence at the Stellar Awards as both a recording artist and producer while also marking a win for another artist connected to his Birmingham-based ministry and label.

The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air Aug. 29 on The Stellar Network and Aug. 30 on BET.

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Blaque 365 Bham and the Alabama Greek Foundation Inc. will present the A Night of Sundays Gospel Concert: Back 2 School Edition on Sunday, Aug. 30.

The worship experience will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 5035 McClain St. in Brighton.

Organizers are also seeking 200 partners to donate $10 in support of the event’s fundraising goal.

Attendees are asked to wear their Sunday’s best.

The concert is presented by Blaque 365 Bham and the Alabama Greek Foundation Inc. Donation options are available through the QR codes included on the event flyer.

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The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Wright Center and will also feature the Alabama A&M University Choir, Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Choir and Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Choir.

The concert will conclude the four-day conference, which runs Sept. 16-19 in Birmingham. Organizers describe the gathering as an effort to bring scholars, historians, faith leaders and community leaders together to address racial trauma, intergenerational trauma, healing and reconciliation.

According to organizers, Birmingham was selected as the setting because of the city’s history and connection to the modern Civil Rights Movement, with the conference centered on examining historical trauma and creating opportunities for community healing.

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel, with the closing concert taking place at Samford University.

For registration, tickets and additional information, visit the There Is A Balm In Gilead National Healing-Reconciliation Conference website.

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Founded by Dr. Robert Barnes, the Birmingham-based awards program was created to celebrate excellence in gospel music and ministry and bring together artists, fans and industry professionals. The 2026 ceremony was held Aug. 21 in Birmingham.

The 2026 Gospel Sounds Music Awards winners included:

• Artist of the Year: Amethyst
• Best New Artist: Mykal Powell
• Emerging Artist of the Year: Sylare Starks
• Male Artist of the Year: Kenneth Day Jr.
• Female Artist of the Year: Joye Tyler
• Worship & Praise Artist of the Year: Kenneth Day Jr.
• Mixed Group of the Year: Docta Coney & Manifest
• Contemporary Group of the Year: Trinity OneSound
• Quartet of the Year: Docta Coney & Manifest
• Community Choir of the Year: Decavis Thrasher & The Crystal Springs Mass Choir
• Church Choir of the Year: Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle
• Choir Director of the Year: Bryant Woods
• Praise/Liturgical Dance Ministry of the Year: Sabina Peace Troupe
• Gospel Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Keylosophy
• Musician of the Year: Joshua Brown
• Producer of the Year: James Jones
• Recorded Music Packaging: Frank McGee
• Gospel Radio Announcer of the Year: Lady Drina
• Gospel Radio Station of the Year: Worship 94.5 FM
• Internet Radio Announcer of the Year: Shoggy Shoggz
• Internet Radio Station of the Year: 4Ever Gospel
• Media/Marketing Company of the Year: WildPraize Music & Media
• Promoter of the Year: Dr. Darryl Gates
• International Artist of the Year: Praise Galaxy

The awards also continued their focus on honoring the legacy of gospel music. Birmingham gospel legend Katie Sankey was selected for induction into the Gospel Sounds Music Awards Hall of Fame, with Barnes previously describing Sankey as an icon in Alabama and across the country.

The Gospel Sounds Music Awards describes its mission as honoring excellence in music and ministry while highlighting the artists and industry professionals helping move gospel music forward.

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