Kierra Sheard to Receive the BMI Impact Award at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards

June 16, 2026

Ceremony Will Also Celebrate Top Gospel Songs, Songwriters and Publishers on Tuesday, July 21 in Nashville, TN

(NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 16, 2026) BMI will celebrate the songwriters and publishers behind the year's best in gospel at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, held at BMI's Nashville office on Tuesday, July 21st. Multiple award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard will receive the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of gospel music. Throughout the ceremony, BMI will also honor the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year's 25 most-performed gospel songs in the United States. The BMI Gospel Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the ceremony. The private event will be hosted by BMI CEO Mike O'Neill and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.

"Kierra Sheard is one of the most influential and dynamic voices in gospel music today. Through her exceptional talents and commitment to inspiring others, Kierra continues to shape the genre and impact audiences around the world," said Brewton. "It's a privilege to recognize her remarkable achievements and contributions to gospel music. We look forward to celebrating Kierra's success and honoring all our award-winning songwriters and publishers during a special afternoon of fellowship and music."

Kierra Sheard is an acclaimed gospel recording artist, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur whose dynamic voice and innovative sound have made her one of the most influential figures in contemporary Gospel music. Born into Gospel royalty as the daughter of Grammy Award-winning singer and pastor Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Sr., pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, Sheard has successfully forged her own path while honoring her family's rich musical legacy. Known for blending traditional gospel with contemporary R&B influences, she has expanded the reach of gospel music to a new generation of listeners.

Since making her debut as a solo artist with I Owe You in 2004, Sheard has gone on to release multiple chart-topping albums and singles that have resonated with audiences worldwide. Her studio albums have earned positions on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart, including five albums reaching #1, with several of her singles having reached the Billboard Gospel Airplay and Hot Gospel Songs charts. Her critically acclaimed album KIERRA (2020) earned widespread praise and contributed to her growing list of industry accolades, while subsequent releases have further solidified her standing as a leading voice in gospel music. In addition to her solo success, she has collaborated with some of the most respected artists in gospel music, showcasing her versatility and influence across the genre.

Throughout her career, Sheard has received numerous honors, including four GRAMMY Award nominations, seven Stellar Awards, three Dove Awards, four BMI Awards and she was named BMI's Gospel Songwriter of the Year in 2022, a testament to her excellence in recording, songwriting, and performance.

Press credentials will be limited due to space. To apply for red carpet credentials, please go to https://www.bmi.com/press/credential/2026-trailblazers-awards.

A post event press release, photos and video will be serviced after the event.

ABOUT BMI:

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 25 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI's repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on X and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music, Inc.'s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI's The Weekly ™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.

Media Contacts:

Gabriella Natali
212-220-3141
[email protected]

Jodie Thomas
212-220-3142
[email protected]