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 ...