Over the weekend, Dunamis Gospel Awards were handed out in 25 categories at Central Triad Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Throughout the evening, with emphasis on its motto, “power in action,” Bishop Terry L. Young, president and founder of the Dunamis Gospel Awards, and Yves McKenzie and Billie M. Johnson, the show’s hosts, punctuated the significance of community and camaraderie among artists, churches, and leaders.
Husband-wife duo David and Tiffany Spencer (pictured right) were multiple winners at Saturday’s eighth annual ceremony, earning a pair of awards for Dunamis Artist of the Year and Dunamis CD/Song of the Year. Other highlights of the night were the live performances that charged the atmosphere, including Jalessa Cade’s rendition of Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s “My Help,” which segued into the chorus of Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.” Later, Jonathan Parker-Ashley presented her with the award for Worship Leader of the Year. Before the night was over, Parker-Ashley had himself collected an award for Group/Duo of the Year. Members of his group JPA & Ascension joined him onstage to accept the glass trophy.
Choirs and ensembles were well represented with dynamic performances from Higher Dimension Praise Chorale, Will Harris & Friends, Jeremiah Salter & United Worship, Pastor H.E. Dixon & Truth Tabernacle Choir, Macedonia Mass Choir, Dionn Owen & Renaissance, and Sir Jerry Saddler & SOP. Brea Miles and Antwaun Millunz were among the Holy Hip-Hip artists who rocked the mic. Earlier in the evening, Miles picked up the award for Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. Testimony Mime, quartet group Gift3d, and vocalist Ora Roberts also offered stirring performances at the ceremony. Gift3d went on to win the award for Quartet of the Year.
In addition, Bishop Young and his wife Lady Geneva took to the stage to make several special presentations honoring area ministry leaders for their service: Apostle Sylvester D. Johnson (Bishop Jerome Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award), Pastor Leroy Kelly (Mother Doris Cohen Harbor Pioneer Award), Dionn Owen & Renaissance (Apostle John Henry Heath Music of Excellence Award), and Bishop Greg Hargrave (Humanitarian Award). In light of COVID-19 putting the Dunamis Gospel Awards on hiatus last year, 2020’s recipient of the Living Legend Award, Bishop Franklin O. Hanes, was recognized at this year’s show.
Congratulations to all the 2021 Dunamis Gospel Award recipients. Below is the full list of winners and honorees.
Pastor of the Year – Male
Overseer Aaron McNair, Jr.
Pastor of the Year – Female
Apostle Flora Morris
First Lady of the Year
Lady Shawna Milton
Choir Director of the Year
Sir Jerry Saddler
Church Choir of the Year
Voices of Deliverance
Worship Leader of the Year
Jalessa Cade
Church Praise and Worship Team of the Year
Greater Hope Cathedral
Musician of the Year – Male
Kwynn Gilbert
Musician of the Year – Female
Joyce Harbor
Vocalist of the Year – Male
Carlton Doggett
Vocalist of the Year – Female
Angeline Crank
Dunamis Artist of the Year
David and Tiffany Spencer
Quartet of the Year
Gift3d
Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Brea Miles
Group/Duo of the Year
JPA & Ascension
Dance/Mime Ministry of the Year
Alexis Lambert
Community Choir of the Year
East Coast Mass Choir
College Gospel Choir of the Year
Winston-Salem State
Media Publication of the Year
Divine Connections Magazine
Comedian of the Year
T-Roy
Songwriter of the Year
Alicia Moore
Producer of the Year
Charles Wright
Gospel Announcer of the Year
Brandon Smith
Dunamis CD/Song of the Year
David and Tiffany Spencer
2021 Bishop Jerome O. Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award
Apostle Sylvester D. Johnson
2021 Living Legend Award
Apostle Faye D. Thomas
2021 Humanitarian Award
Bishop Greg Hargrave
2021 Mother Doris Cohen Harbor Pioneer Award
Pastor Leroy Kelly
2021 Apostle John Henry Heath Music of Excellence Award
Dionn Owen & Renaissance
2020 Living Legend Award
Bishop Franklin O. Hanes
Church of the Year
His Kingdom Ministries
Photo highlights from the 2021 Dunamis Gospel Awards
Jalessa Cade 
Gift3d 
Will Harris & Friends 
Pastor H.E. Dixon 
Macedonia Mass Choir 
Dionn Owen & Renaissance 
Jeremiah Salter & United Worship 
Sir Jerry Saddler & SOP 
Ora Roberts 
Brea Miles 
Antwaun Millunz 
Bishop Terry & Lady Geneva Young
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.