Kirk Franklin won the Outstanding Gospel Artist (Traditional or Contemporary) trophy during the 38th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on March 2. The gospel music artist edged out other nominees, which included the New Testament dramatized audio recording Inspired By … The Bible Experience (Zondervan), Patti LaBelle (The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, Bungalo Records), Fred Hammond (Free to Worship, Verity Records) and Andraé Crouch (Mighty Wind, Verity Records).

Franklin, who was recognized for “Imagine Me” (Hero, Fo Yo Soul), previously won the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Awards for Outstanding Gospel Artist in 2003 and 1999.