Nominee Consideration

1. A Nomination Packet shall consist of a completed nomination form procured from the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame or its website, which includes recordings, news clippings, magazine articles or other informative, factual data about the candidate. This material shall be submitted to the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the date specified by the Nomination Committee. All nominees with a completed Nomination Package be presented to the Nomination Committee for review.

2. Each year the Nomination Committee shall, by majority vote, nominate Hall of Fame candidates as official nominees.

3. Nominations will be guided by the Hall of Fame Criteria established by the Nomination Committee.

4. Nominees will be chosen by merit alone, whether living or deceased. 

1. The independent accounting firm will record all nominations received.

2. The nominees submitted by the Hall of Fame Committee shall be considered a finalist, and their names shall be entered alphabetically on a final ballot.

1. The nominees will be listed alphabetically on a ballot to be mailed by the accounting firm no later than the date established by the Nomination Committee each year.  An identical ballot shall also be established online, and Electors will have the opportunity to cast their vote either by mail or online. A copy of the Hall of Fame Criteria and a brief biographical sketch of each nominee, as well as a full list of Hall of Fame members will appear online in addition to the ballot.

2. Electors will be instructed on the final ballot to vote “Yes” only for those nominees worthy of election to the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.3. Final ballots must be received by the accounting firm no later than the date established by the Nomination Committee each year to be eligible.

4. A nominee receiving affirmative votes by a majority of electors shall be declared a Hall of Fame inductee.

5. The GMA Foundation staff will have no say whatsoever as to who is or is not elected for induction. The function of the staff shall be to process the nominations, to coordinate meetings and to produce the annual induction ceremony.

The GMA was founded in 1964 by a group of Southern Gospel industry executives to serve their community through education and exposure. Since that time the association has evolved to include all genres of music that are united by lyrical content that points to Jesus Christ. Like the broader Church, our styles represent a wide variety of races, ages and demographics. We believe firmly that the message and freedom of Christ is for all people.

Also, like the Church, the story of our community is not blameless in this cause. We are a broken people but, thankfully, God uses humanity in spite of its brokenness. As a result, aspects of our community and our history would not live up to the standards that we set currently to love and respect the diversity of God’s people.

While we cannot change the past, we acknowledge that we can do better as we move to the future. To that end, the GMA is actively working to create a foundation, system and structure that gives voice to all of our communities. Below are just a few intentional efforts that have been made:

– 30% of Board Members are BIPOC

– Active Committees that are focused on: Diversity, Gospel, Latin, Hip Hop

– 30% of GMA Workforce are BIPOC

– Diversity in Events/Broadcasts: showcasing genre diversity representing at least 30% of programming

To be clear, we do not condone racism in any form and are actively working to create unity and connection among our community. Our heart is to educate, celebrate and invest in the future of the entire Christian/Gospel community to see more lives impacted with the Message of Hope found in Christ.