Controversy over a missing Stellar Awards tribute for gospel music icon Richard Smallwood exposed a flaw in how the gospel music industry remembers and honors its own. September is Gospel Music Heritage Month, an opportune time to celebrate all influential creators of gospel music and reflect on ways to magnify the legacies and remember the departed artists, musicians and contributors who helped shape the genre. This message comes at an important time to reflect on the music and musicians who are alive an to explore ways to recognize those who have passed away.
Following the 41st Stellar Awards, fans resoundingly conveyed that remembrance is a form of respect when they shared their discontent about Smallwood, a beloved composer, singer and choir director being overlooked on the "biggest night in gospel music." Producers of the show faced severe backlash over the absence of the Smallwood* tribute, one of the genre's most influential composers and musicians. Stellar Awards CEO Don Jackson has said the matter will be addressed with a tribute to Smallwood at next year's show.
But the issue goes deeper than the omission of one gospel icon.
Several other notable gospel figures who died in 2025 were also not acknowledged during this year's Stellar Awards, including Norman Hutchins, Ron Kenoly, Sara Jordan Powell, Isaiah Thomas and Jesse Lee Prather. Their absence highlights a larger question about how the Stellar Awards memorializes the people who have contributed to gospel music.
Most major award shows include an "In Memoriam* segment, providing a brief but meaningful opportunity to recognize artists and industry figures who died during the previous year. The Stellar Awards has not consistently included such a segment in recent years.
Adding an In Memoriam tribute to the main broadcast could help address that gap—giving the Stellar Awards a regular, comprehensive way to honor the lives and legacies of those who helped build gospel music.
In fact, many of those who spoke out about the Smallwood omission have expressed a desire for something broader than a tribute to one individual: a more encompassing memorial moment on the main show.
A tribute to Richard Smallwood may rectify his specific omission. But it does not necessarily fill the larger void.
Gospel Music Heritage Month provides a timely reminder that honoring the genre's heritage also means remembering the people who made that heritage possible—and ensuring their contributions are not forgotten when the cameras are rolling.