Events

“Coffee Hip Hop & Mental Health” Presents Conversation About Church Hurt

Published

6 years ago

October 11, 2019

Staff

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Coffee Hip Hop & Mental Health is a new organization founded in Chicago, IL by Hip Hop artist / mental health advocate Christopher LeMark. Chicago’s own Christopher LeMark has been a voice in his hometown of Chicago since 2000. Originally, he began his music journey as a CHH artist under the name Focus. He later evolved into a playwright, a live concert producer and a public speaker. This past ArtSoulSpotlight artist has been known to consistently make music that features dialogue and encourages men and women who deal with rejection, identity and abandonment issues. His approach is unique, fresh and relatable. From pain, transition and triumph, he has a sound that resonates with the culture.

Lemark has been very vocal about his experience suffering in silence from PTSD due to a traumatic childhood. After years of doing life without doing consistent deep checkins on his mental health, Christopher was encouraged by a friend to take a break and seek therapy. After reaching major strides in therapy, LeMark was inspired to launch a new initiative called “Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health”. His goal with CHHAMH is to encourage the community to unpack and rebuild their minds through clinical therapy.

Christopher recently shared the mission for his newest endeavor with us:

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between community and mental health practitioners. In our effort to help normalize therapy, we plan to use various forms of art (especially hip-hop) to communicate effectively and to meet people where they are. The arts can provide a diagnostic image of culture and of the individual while providing healing for both mental and physical health. Studies show that artistic endeavors may reduce stress, health complaints, improve immune function, provide both physical and psychological benefits, and even help people live longer. We are motivated by the lack of resources and assistance in the midst of a mental health crisis. It is our hope to aid all communities by creating safe spaces to provide immediate assistance.”

Coffee Hip Hop and Mental Health presents a series of events that focus on a variety of topics. Christopher is clear that his goal is not to provide one or two major large events and then move on. His goal is to carefully unpack each topic that his events touch on. This means that these events aren’t the type to come to once and expect to hear the speakers touch on everything at once. These events are designed to create an ongoing discussion one topic at a time. The first CHHMH event focused on raising awareness of the importance of clinical therapy among men – a topic that is rarely discussed. From there, he slowly started tackling other topics such as “The decoding of Her” which was created to raise awareness of therapy for women. Therapists are present at every event in case anyone would like to find immediate assistance.

Christopher’s most recent event “Church Hurts” which takes place on October 19th focuses on discussing the need for therapy in churches and how it can prevent and heal many of the hurts that can happen within the church culture. This discussion is not had often enough inside of church circles, so Lemark plans to slowly unpack this discussion over multiple events just as he does with other topics. On October 19th, he will begin tackling this particular topic by first focusing on church leadership, their therapy needs, how it effects their personal life, their staff and their churches as a whole. Similar to his previous events, they will discuss solutions and have therapists on hand for anyone in need of immediate assistance.

RSVP for the next event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/508412746384764/

DETAILS FOR NEXT EVENT:

(Presented by Coffee Hip Hop & Mental Health, ArtSoul Radio and FCAI International)

Location: 3451 W 175th
Date: 10.19.19
Time: 4pm-7pm

Featured Panelists:
Apostle Ron Wilson
Tiffany Everage
Michele Aikens
Pastor Phil Jackson

Catch A Preview of Past Event:

Events

The Stellar Plus Experience Is Back!

Published

2 months ago

July 9, 2025

Art Soul

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The Stellar Plus Experience is the official, multi-day event leading up to the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. It’s a celebration of faith, music, and culture, offering a range of activities beyond the main awards show. This includes masterclasses, fashion showcases, comedy shows, and special events that enhance the overall Stellar Awards experience. This has also become the space for emerging talent show up and be heard. Don’t miss this experience during Stellar weekend! There will be something for everyone!

For more details on all of the available events for this year, visit the Stellar Plus Experience website: www.stellarexperienceplus.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

*Subject to change*

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025

10a – 2p: Stellar Central Hub

2p – 4p: Stellar Masterclass

7p – 8p: Stellar 40 Welcome Mixer

8p – 10:30p: Stellar Unplugged

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025

8:30a – 10a: Opening Keynote Address

8a – 2p: Stellar Central Hub

11a – 2p: GameChangers Fashion Experience

2p – 4p: Stellar Talks: Fireside Chat + Mixer

9:30p – 12a: Stellar StandUp Comedy Show

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025

4:30p: 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards

ArtSoul Spotlight

2025 Stellar Awards Nominees Announced

Published

3 months ago

June 17, 2025

Tamara Young

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Presented by Central City Productions, the 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards returns to Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on August 16, 2025—honoring the biggest names and brightest newcomers in Gospel music.

Founded by Don Jackson and produced by his team at Central City Productions, the Stellars have long been known as the “Grammys of Gospel.” And for four decades, they’ve remained the premier awards show dedicated to celebrating Black faith-based artistry, excellence, and impact across the globe.

This year’s show is packed with familiar favorites and breakout voices making waves in the culture. From CeCe Winans to Pastor Mike Jr., the nominee list reflects the evolution of Gospel music in real time—bridging tradition, innovation, and divine inspiration.

Check out the full list of nominees below:

Artist of the Year

CeCe Winans – More Than This
Jason Nelson – You Belong: Live in Durham
Kenny Lewis & One Voice – The Healing Project
Pastor Mike Jr. – I Got Away EP
Tamela Mann – Live Breathe Fight

Song of the Year

“Amen” – Pastor Mike Jr.
“Clap My Way” – Micah Lee
“I Prayed For You (said a prayer)” – MAJOR.
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans
“Yahweh” ft. Melvin Crispell III – Jason Nelson

Male Artist of the Year

Chandler Moore
Deitrick Haddon
Doc McKenzie
Jason Nelson
Pastor Mike Jr.

Female Artist of the Year (Albertina Walker Award)

ADIA
CeCe Winans
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Karen Clark-Sheard
Lisa Page Brooks

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Deitrick Haddon ft. Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart
FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole)
Ted & Sheri
The Group Fire

New Artist of the Year

ADIA
Bobbi Lane
Josh Bracy and Power Anointed
Micah Lee
Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale

Album of the Year

I Got Away EP – Pastor Mike Jr.
Live Breathe Fight – Tamela Mann
More Than This – CeCe Winans
The Healing Project – Kenny Lewis & One Voice
You Belong: Live in Durham – Jason Nelson

Choir of the Year

Bishop S. Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil
Chicago Mass Choir – Greater Is Coming
Ricky Dillard – When I Think
The Mississippi Mass Choir – We Still Believe

Producer of the Year

Dana Sorey – You Belong: Live in Durham
FK&M team – Time Capsule – The Trilogy
J. Drew Sheard – Still Karen
Pastor Mike Jr. & DLo – I Got Away EP
Stan Jones & team – We Still Believe

Praise and Worship Album of The Year

Praise and Worship Song of The Year

Leading the Pack:

Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson are tied with 9 nominations each
CeCe Winans follows closely with 8 nominations
The Mississippi Mass Choir earns 6 nominations

See Full List of All 30 Categories Here:

This list is just a snapshot of the nominees. You can find a list of all 30 Categories here: https://www.thestellarawards.com/2025-nominees.html

Fans can vote June 16 – July 18th, 2025 at www.thestellarawards.com
Fan-voted categories include:

Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year
Praise & Worship Song of the Year

🔥 ArtSoul Radio + Stellar Awards: A Legacy of Showing Up | Over 10 Years Strong

For over a decade, ArtSoul Radio has been known for showing up for Christian music-not just reporting on award shows like the Stellars and Dove Awards, but for standing in the gaps others overlooked.

Long before CHH and Christian Soul artists were getting red carpet coverage, we were often the only media platform intentionally representing these genres-determined to amplify the sound of a movement that was often being ignored.

We’ll never forget moments like this throwback interview from 2016: when artist Jai (now Jai Vaughn), once spotting our team on the red carpet, paused and said:
“I’m coming to ones who actually play my music.”

That moment still speaks volumes. And it reminds us why we do what we do.

We have watched and captured the evolution of Christian music over the years, and we are excited to see the growth that has come to various award shows, media platforms, radio shows and more – including the evolution of the Stellar Awards as they continue to open their arms to new genres. We have watched the addition of new collaborations as Jai speaks about in the video above along with new features.

We’re here to support that growth, and to honor what the Stellar Awards have been building for decades. From past to present, we remain committed to uplifting the full spectrum of faith-based music and the community connected to it.

“We’re better together. Keep it locked all summer long for updates!”

Events

Jackie The Educator Promotes BCI’s 2nd Anual BCI Conference on ArtSoul Radio’s Own TrackStarz Radio Show

Published

3 months ago

June 17, 2025

Art Soul

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Jackie the Educator recently spoke with “Ryan The Righteous” on the TrackStarz Radio Show airing weekly on ArtSoulRadio via iHeart Radio for a transparent conversation about the journey behind BCI (Black Christian Influencers). Jackie speaks about building faith-centered spaces, and what it really takes to lead in today’s culture.

This interview originally aired on our 24/7 programming TrackStarz, one of our syndicated shows here on ArtSoul Radio—streaming 24/7 with fresh convos, real stories, and voices that move the culture.

In case you missed it, we’re dropping the full interview here so you can hear it straight from the source. Jackie talks about the highs, the challenges, and the future of her growing platform. Whether you’re in the influencer space or just passionate about seeing faith + culture collide in meaningful ways, this one’s worth the listen.

🎧 Watch the full interview below
📻 Originally aired on ArtSoulRadio’s 24/7 Radio Station on iHeart Radio (The TrackStarz Radio Show)
💬 Then tag us and let us know your thoughts.