GMA Statement On Kirk Franklin Speech.
On the heels of the 50th Annual Dove Awards Celebration, I want to thank everyone who came and helped us fulfill our mission to spread the Gospel through music for all the world to see! Our mission to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music includes representing our artists and giving them a platform to share their voice with a worldwide audience.
Due to our broadcast window, we had to significantly edit the Dove telecast to 2 hours, which aired Sunday, October 20th. In light of this, we understand that many were disappointed because there were so many memorable moments and noteworthy portions of acceptance speeches absent.
Specifically, we were made aware of troubling concerns regarding the edit of Kirk Franklin’s acceptance speech. At the request of Kirk’s team, we held our response regarding those concerns until we were able to speak with Kirk privately, apologize directly, and discuss resolutions to rectify this unfortunate issue.
With that said, we would like to publicly acknowledge that we are deeply apologetic for the missteps that happened relating to the editing of Kirk Franklin’s Dove Awards acceptance speech. We accept the responsibility for our error. Although completely unintentional, we understand it caused great harm and deeply wounded many in the African American and Gospel community. As well, it left a general perception that we are not concerned with key social issues that affect people of color. It is not our intent to disregard or silence any of our artists, and we are deeply saddened by this perception and are committed to change this.
Members of the GMA board and executives spoke with Kirk and his team this past Friday to discuss solutions that we are currently working to implement moving forward. We will be highlighting those initiatives at a future date. Joining our efforts, TBN has made the unedited version available on its VOD platform. You can watch it here. Additionally, all of our winners have received their full acceptance speeches to post and share on their platforms as desired.
In recent years, we have worked hard to ensure that The Dove Awards stage is a platform that promotes unity and celebrates God’s diverse Kingdom. Our heart is to showcase that unity and the Gospel message to a broken and divided world. Let us continue to strive to be a light in the darkness and come together to raise the banner of Jesus Christ.
To God Be the Glory,
Jackie Patillo
President & Executive Director
Gospel Music Association
Well stated Mr Franklin. I stand with you.
Well stated Kirk Franklin. I stand with you. I’m so glad you took a stand.
Long overdue! The Dove Awards don’t recognize many Black Artist! They are absent from their podcast, award show, etc. This should change ASAP!
I agree with Kirk.
They will accept our tangible and professional contributions, talents but not our opinions and hearts concerns. You are right to take a stand.
Never heard of the dove awards…heard of the stellar awards though. Making a speech is nice but I’m sure more could be done. If this is the only stand you he can take, he is limiting his platform as a gospel Christian performer, imo.
It sounds like you’re judging him based off of your lack of awareness regarding how he uses his MANY platforms and opportunities to “take a stand” where in this video did he state that making a speech was the only way he is making a stand?
I have notice that on TBN there is a consistent recurrence of ignoring the plight of African Americans. They currently have a Hucklebee on almost nightly and he is very ungracious in several of his comments. I often have listen to him and could not hear the love of Jesus in any of his comments. if the Dove awards allow this to happen in 2018 and promise to reconcile the issue only to allow it to happen again in 2019 we can not take that as an unintentional offense.
I appreciate and thank you all for such a heartfelt apology and ownership of the situation..???
We all must give an ear to hear our winner for CHRIST IS KING AND LORD OVER ALL.. THANKS FOR MY VOICE.. TP BE HEARD. BLESSINGS CONTINUOUS AND UPLIFTING OUR LOVE TO SHPW UNITY AS ONE .. FOR TOGETHER QE STAND STRONG AS ONE IN GOD.. HALLALUJAH
We all must give an ear to hear our winner for CHRIST IS KING AND LORD OVER ALL.. THANKS FOR MY VOICE.. TP BE HEARD. BLESSINGS
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND
I ? percent agree with you the killing of blacks by police officers is a Horrific, we cannot go back to slavery time it’s not going to happen.
Nothing will change, they just thought they would get away with it as usual. They’re not interested in knowing what our plights are not how to solve them! I’ve been stopped watching this awards show because they never have but one or two African Americans performing, just enough to peak your interest. I’ll stick with the Stellar Awards!!!
Amen Mr. Franklin. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I also am willing to participate with not being. a viewing participant with those networks. In. The name of Jesus.
I will stand with you Brother Kirk Franklin ✊?✊?✊? God Bless!
Yes! We need to take a STAND
Kirk, Thank you for your stand for Justice, My son Michael Jamese Posey was murdered at Hattiesburg Health and Rehab a 45 year fairly health young man They lied on his medical records from the time he walked into that evil pit. After they murdered my son I requested his medical records false lies they had on my son’s medical record that he was being turned every two hours. while walking around. Doctor. RN. LPN. AIDE. SOCIAL WORKER, MANAGEMENT. NO ONE. saw no problem , The state of Mississippi is up holding the murder of patients in a Goverment funded facility. There in more to come. God said enough is enough.
God greatly bless and protect Kirk Franklin. He is a prophetic. pioneering visionary. Well said and stated. I stand and agree with him on this. God is uncovering more racial bigotry and discrimination in the “Christian” community. Go Kirk
Perhaps it’s time for a new umbrella, the Dove awards have been around for a while and for YEARS they did acknowledge only certain styles of Christian music …. perhaps it’s time to create a venue with a mixture of styles of Christian music ministers so that ALL Christian music can be acknowledged …. Rather than only the Dove Awards maybe it time for The Levite Awards celebrating the gift of ALL praise and worship and those who serve as global worshipers. Mr. Franklin you know a lot of people in the industry ministry from all styles of Christian music, perhaps this is your next call
Thank you again for your passion and committment to accountability. May your steps continue in order and favor with God through Jesus Christ our foundation upon which We Stand Firmly United.