Kirk Franklin is a Texan gospel artist who led the choir The Family and has released solo albums.
Franklin posted a video on Instagram this week explaining why he would be boycotting the Christian music event, the Dove Awards, and the Christian TV channel Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) until tangible plans are put in place to “protect and champion diversity”.
He won the award for best gospel artist at the Dove Awards in 2016, the Christian version of the Grammys, but said that some of his acceptance speech was edited out on television when he mentioned the killings of black people by police officers.
He was referring to the killings of two black men by police officers; Philando Castile and Walter Scott.
He announced he would be boycotting the event and the channel and said it was his personal decision and he wasn’t calling others to join him.
However, other Christian artists have supported him, including rapper Lecrae, Natalie Grant and Marvin Sapp.
Lecrae uploaded a video on Thursday, saying: “People have been wondering about my support of my friend and my brother Kirk Franklin and his decision to halt his participation in the GMA awards.”
After explaining the context of the awards, he said: “I support my brother Kirk and until we have a conversation about these issues, I won’t be able to participate either, that’s just where I stand.”
“I know the issues that…
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