About CGMA-USA

The Caribbean Gospel Music Awards USA was founded in 1999 by the renowned international artiste, singer, songwriter and record producer: Hopeton Lewis.  The vision came about as Mr. Lewis was listening to some great gospel music, being ministered by some really talented Caribbean men and women of gospel.  He felt that these artistes have been so dedicated to their cause that something should be done to encourage them, highlight their impressive contributions and outstanding performances, thus the birth of the Caribbean Gospel Music Awards USA. 

The objective of this cause is to promote and uplift the Caribbean gospel music ministry and its artistes to a higher level, ensuring the growth of Caribbean gospel music worldwide.  The first Caribbean gospel Music Awards USA presentation ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn (JFK) Hotel on June 1, 2001. 

Nominations for this prestigious affair are done in different categories and voting is done by public ballot throughout the music industry. Each record/CD is evaluated in the following categories -: lyrical content, musical background, originality, arrangement, sales, production quality and overall performance.  These awards are for records/CDs launched from January 1st through December 31st of each year. 

• International Awards of Merit are presented each year to a person/company that has been outstanding in the Caribbean Community during the year in which the Gospel Awards Presentation is done.  Some of our past awardees include: Kenny Roberts (Bahamas), Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin (USA), Rev. Carlene Davis and Tony Young (Jamaica).

• Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented each year to a person/company/group who has been outstanding in the gospel industry for twenty (20) years or more past or present.  Past awardees include: Otis Wright, Ken Parker, Adina Edwards (Jamaica), Joseph Niles (Barbados) and The Grace Thrillers. 

• Spiritual Awards are presented to a person/company that has been outstanding in the Gospel Industry ten (10) years or more.  Some of our past awardees include: Phyllis Wilson (Air Jamaica), Judy Mowatt (Jamaica) and Bridget Blucher (St. Vincent & The Grenadines).

• The Community Service Award is presented each year to a person/company that has done more for the Caribbean Community for the year in which the gospel awards are being presented.  Past awardees include: Una S.T. Clarke (Council Woman), Irwine Clare (Caribbean Immigration Services, Inc) Pastor Basil L. Anderson (Finding The Lost Sheep Center Inc.), Tanya Campbell (The Agape Foundation) and Father Lloyd Anthony (St. Joseph Episcopal Church) Dr Basil K.Bryan Consul General of Jamaica.       

This prestigious affair consists of over twenty (20) categories and so far has presented over ninety (90) awards.   This star-studded event has attracted the presence of Caribbean Consul Generals, NYC Council Members, The New York State Governor’s Caribbean Representative and executives from islands such as: Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent, Jamaica, Haiti, St. Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis and Barbados, to name a few.

This low-budget event is a testament to the determination and spiritual energy of Mr. Hopeton Lewis, with the assistance of some of his friends and very little support from the private sector.  

The Caribbean Gospel Music Awards (USA) has received endorsements from Governor George Pataki, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the USA – Hon. Seymour Mullings, Mrs. Phyllis Wilson – Air Jamaica LTD., Council Member (40th) District, Brooklyn – Yvette Clarke, Hon. Una Clarke, Dr. Basil K. Bryan – Consul General, Jamaica, Mr. Anthony King – Jamaica Tourist Board etc.

This awards presentation – compared with the USA’s Grammy Awards has been such a resounding success that we have had to move to a larger venue since its second year. It consists of over twenty (20) categories and so far has presented over ninety (90) awards.  A scholarship fund has also been launched in association with this prestigious event.  Each year a less fortunate child from a different Caribbean island will be presented with a scholarship from this fund.