BMI will honor gospel artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard with the BMI Impact Award at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards. The private ceremony will take place Tuesday, July 21, at BMI’s Nashville office.
The annual event recognizes the songwriters, producers, and music publishers behind the year’s 25 most-performed gospel songs in the United States. BMI will also name its Gospel Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Publisher of the Year during the ceremony.
The event will be hosted by BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill and Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta.
“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,” Brewton said. “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.”
Sheard is a gospel recording artist, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. She is the daughter of Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and pastor Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Sr., pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ.
Sheard released her debut solo album, I Owe You, in 2004. Since then, she has released multiple albums and singles that have appeared on Billboard gospel charts. Five of her albums have reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, and several of her singles have appeared on the Gospel Airplay and Hot Gospel Songs charts.
Her 2020 album, KIERRA, further expanded her profile in contemporary gospel. In addition to her solo work, Sheard has collaborated with other gospel artists and has continued to blend traditional gospel with contemporary R&B influences.
The BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards recognize gospel music creators and publishers whose songs have received significant performance activity over the past year.
