Nashville, TN (October 28, 2019)
Award-winning Christian music/Gospel artist Kirk Franklin recently posted a video on his social media to announce that he has “made the decision—after prayer, consultation with my team and my pastor Dr. Tony Evans—to not attend any events affiliated with or for the Dove Awards, GMA or TBN until tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity.”

During his Dove Award acceptance speech in 2016, and again this year, he spoke out regarding the killing of several African-American people by white police officers, and called for justice. He also discussed the killings of five Dallas police officers by an African-American shooter, and reminded the audience that “As Christians, when we say nothing, we’re saying something.” During the TBN broadcast of the Dove Awards show in both 2016 and again this year those parts of his acceptance speeches were edited out. Even after expressing his concern to GMA and TBN in 2016, his comments were again edited out for this year’s broadcast of the Dove Awards show.

“I am aware that the word boycott often has a negative connotation and finality to it. But my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability. It is important for those in charge to be informed, not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African-American experience.” —Kirk Franklin

Franklin goes on to say that it is his intention to bring about change and reconciliation and not a permanent boycott of Gospel artists.

You can watch Kirk’s social media video post here:

Watch Kirk’s entire acceptance speech here:

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