10/28/2026
We congratulate the Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards on bringing their 19th annual celebration to Beaumont in June 2027. We welcome opportunities that bring visitors, economic development, and greater recognition to Southeast Texas.
However, we must respectfully address a statement in the recent announcement suggesting that Beaumont has never hosted an awards show.
As co-founders of the Southeast Texas Visionary Awards (SETVA), we find this statement concerning.
Our inaugural awards initiative began in 2025, and on August 8, 2026, we held the Southeast Texas Visionary Awards at the historic Jefferson Theatre in downtown Beaumont.
We have invested our time, resources, and personal sacrifices into building a platform that recognizes local artists, entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders, innovators, and visionaries.
We have also shared our broader vision with city leadership: a vision connecting recognition, tourism, economic opportunity, education, and long-term community development.
On August 21, Southeast Texas Visionaries’ Day was established as an annual recognition, with its proclamation presented at Beaumont City Hall in September.
We appreciate that recognition. But recognition must also make room for meaningful collaboration and investment.
When an outside awards organization is celebrated for its potential economic impact, we believe it is equally important to acknowledge the local organizations that have already demonstrated their commitment to building these opportunities.
This is not about competition. It is about inclusion, historical accuracy, equitable opportunity, and community partnership.
We should not have to leave Southeast Texas to be valued, nor should local visionaries have to wait for outside organizations to validate what our region is capable of accomplishing.
We welcome the growth of Beaumont’s cultural and entertainment economy. We simply ask that those who have been building that future from within our own community are not overlooked.
One Region. One Voice.
Honoring Vision. Celebrating Impact.
Tierrene’ Ajao & Prince Solomon Ajao
Co-Founders, Southeast Texas Visionary Awards
The Examiner Roy West Jr.
BEAUMONT’S VISIONARIES DESERVE TO BE SEEN, HEARD, AND SUPPORTED!!!!!!!
We also want to make something abundantly clear: SETVA does not claim to be the first awards organization in Beaumont or Southeast Texas.
Long before our organization was established, there were and still are individuals, organizations, cultural leaders, and community advocates who created platforms to recognize excellence, celebrate talent, and honor contributions throughout our region.
Jamison Charles just hosted the first ever Overcomers Awards Show. As well as so many others .
Their work deserves acknowledgment just as much as ours.
Our concern is not about who was first. It is about the importance of accurately recognizing the history of those who have contributed to the cultural and economic landscape of Southeast Texas.
When we describe an opportunity as unprecedented without acknowledging the work that preceded it, we risk overlooking the very communities and visionaries who helped make that opportunity possible.
Progress should build upon history, not erase it.
We welcome new opportunities, new partnerships, and new investments in our region. But we also believe that local organizations deserve to be included in those conversations, supported in their growth, and recognized for their contributions.
We should be building bridges between those who came before us, those doing the work today, and those who will carry the vision forward.
Because this was never about being first. It was about ensuring Visionaries wouldn’t be the last.
One Region. One Voice.
Honoring Vision. Celebrating Impact.
Beaumont to host Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards
By News Staff on Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Beaumont will host the 19th Annual Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards in June of 2027.
Desir'ee Pete, Director of Marketing for the Beaumont Convention & Visitor's Bureau, tells The examiner this is the first time the city has hosted an awards show. "This is a new opportunity to have visitors come in and experience Beaumont. We anticipate an economic impact of $1.2 million and 600 room nights." The week-long event is expected to bring in 3,500 attendees and over a million viewers.
"We are excited to bring our awards show to Beaumont. The hospitality we experienced during our visit makes us know the show will be a success here in Beaumont". Says Dr. Mark Rogers founded the Rhythm of Gospel in 2027. "And the food here is outstanding.: Rogers added with a laugh.
Mayor Roy West says Beaumont is very excited to welcome the Rhythm Gospel Music Awards to the city "I want to applaud the CVB for all the hard work they do through out the year to attract conventions and award banquets to Beaumont". west hopes this isn't just a 2027 event in Beaumont that it will be an annual event.
The 19th annual Rhythm of Gospel Awards Show, a week-long event, will be in June of 2027
