BET Awards 2023 Nominees
Nominees were recently announced for the BET Awards 2023 that will broadcasted live from Los Angeles and will honor the year’s most influential in the entertainment industry for outstanding achievements in music, film, television. In the gospel category, honorees will be recognized with the prestigious Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award. The seven nominees this year include Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin, and for a second nod, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin featuring Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore, also nominated are Tamela Mann, CeCe Winans, Tye Tribbett, Yolanda Adams, and PJ Morton with featured female gospel artists. The 2-hour awards show, now in its 21st year, will take place on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 8pm ET. This year’s show will also double as a special tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop music.
Civil Rights Leader Rev. Barber Announces Retirement
Prominent North Carolina civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber II delivered his final sermon on June 18, 2023, as the pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church as he retired after 30 years. “I have no reason to be standing here but by the grace of God,” Barber said in his retirement sermon. Barber spoke of his physical limitations from a form of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. In 1993, Barber joined Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, and over the next three decades he became renowned for his work addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and racism. Barber served as president of the North Carolina NAACP from 2005 until 2017 calling for “nonviolent direct action” in the form of protest to fight against legislation he opposed. Barber has stated he will continue his involvement in civil rights issues.
Jekalyn Carr’s “You Will Win Conference” Returns
Powerhouse gospel singer/entrepreneur Jekalyn Carr will be hosting “You Will Win! Conference – Faith, Family & Marketplace” a two-day conference in Atlanta at the Georgia International Convention Center, June 23rd – 24th. The event will be focused on all things related to faith, family, and marketplace and features a lineup of panelists who will lead discussions on winning in all areas of their lives God’s way. The conference will include nightly services and a star-studded concert on the final evening. Her special guests for the conference include the Chairman/CEO Don Jackson of Central City Productions, Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association, and gospel singers Bri Babineaux and Pastor Mike Jr. and others.
Upcoming Quartet Music Awards Honoring The Best of the Genre
The 2nd Annual Quartet Music Awards (QMAs) will be held at The Miller Theater in Augusta, GA, to celebrate the heritage of quartet music on Saturday, June 24th at 5pm and will be hosted by Justin Rufus with performances by D. Morton & Gifted, The Sonny Brown Experience, The Swanee Quintet, and more. This year’s QMA Honors will be presented to recipients both posthumously and living including Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, The Lumzy Sisters, Joe Ligon of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Darrell McFadden & The Disciples, Doc McKenzie, The Caravans, Slim & The Supreme Angels, and Rev. Andrew Cheairs & the Songbirds.
Last Words…
Professor Craig Hayes to Present Unity Music & Arts Conference
Craig Hayes, affectionately known as “The Professor”, will be hosting his second annual United Music and Arts Conference. The three-day conference, billed as “Faith, Family & Fun,” is designed to share industry knowledge with aspiring artists, musicians, producers, and songwriters. The event will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida June 26th – June 29th at the Gallery One Doubletree Suites by Hilton. Professor Hayes has served for over 30 years as choir director for Craig Hayes and United Voices and as a sought-after songwriter for artists such as Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Pastor David Wright, Pastor John P. Kee, Wilmington Chester Mass Choir and others. Conference facilitators include a wide collective of Grammy, Stellar, Dove, BMI and ASCAP winners, including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Bishop Larry Trotter, Fred Jerkins, Damon Stewart, and many more.
