Kierra Sheard, J Drew Sheard II, Kerry Douglas & More Honored At BMI’s 2026 Trailblazers Of Gospel Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Mike O’Neill, CEO of BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, Kierra Sheard, 2026 BMI Impact Award recipient, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta and Mike Steinberg, BMI, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI)

The 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, held yesterday (July 21) at BMI’s Nashville office, honored Kierra Sheard, J Drew Sheard II, Kerry Douglas and more for their contributions to Gospel music over the last year.

Kierra Sheard received the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impact on the future of gospel music. Sheard was also honored as BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year in a three-way tie with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Douglas.

BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year went to “Lead Me On,” and Publisher of the Year went to Capitol CMG Publishing. The most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year were also announced at the private ceremony hosted by BMI’s CEO, Mike O’Neill; EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.

“God has a way to reward faithfulness before He rewards popularity… and this is a reminder that if you keep saying yes, He knows exactly where to find you,” Kierra Sheard shared during her speech. “I want to thank you for pushing gospel music forward. You make this industry worth staying in. What matters is what you represent, that someone still believes in a song that is worth protecting and paying for.”

Kierra Sheard. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Pictured (L-R): Michael O’Neill, CEO of BMI, Kierra Sheard, 2026 BMI Impact Award and Gospel Songwriter of the Year recipient, Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, J. Drew Sheard II, Gospel Songwriter of the Year recipient and Michael Steinberg, BMI, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Keyla Richardson. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Lauryn Sink
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