Kirk Franklin Takes Chief Creator Post with Insignia Assets

Gospel icon Kirk Franklin is joining forces with Insignia Assets, a new entertainment venture established by Norman Gyamfi and Jonathan Jay. This collaboration unites Franklin’s companies, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and CLTRE Lab, with Insignia Assets’ diverse portfolio, which includes recorded music and publishing, television, film, touring, and events. In addition to this partnership, Franklin will serve as Insignia Assets’ Chief of Creative Services.

Franklin, who will be honored with the BET Ultimate Icon Award during the 2025 BET Awards on June 9, shared: “This partnership with Insignia is bigger than business. It’s about building a platform where our stories, our faith, and our culture can live and breathe across every screen and stage. I’ve always believed in pushing Gospel beyond the margins and into spaces where it can challenge, inspire, and connect with the world in a real way. Joining forces with Insignia gives us the reach, the resources, and the creative freedom to do just that.”

To kick off this exciting venture, Franklin will release a new single, “Do It Again,” on June 6. Additionally, his media production company, CLTRE Lab, will collaborate with Insignia Assets’ 3 Diamonds Entertainment division on Den of Kings, a new dinner conversation series hosted by Franklin. The first episode, focusing on “Fatherhood” and featuring guests D.C. Young Fly, Kountry Wayne, Lou Young and Devale Ellis, will premiere on Franklin’s YouTube channel on Father’s Day, June 15.

Under this deal, 3 Diamonds Entertainment will be the production partner on select scripted and non-scripted CLTRE Lab projects, providing production services and funding to showcase original storytelling across various formats.

“We’ve worked with Kirk for some time now—from the 2022 release of the multi-GRAMMY®-winning collaborative album, Kingdom, to producing sold-out arena tours with him consecutively over the past few years,” said Norman Gyamfi, Co-Founder and CEO, Insignia Assets. “Today, we’re thrilled to fortify and deepen our partnership by welcoming Kirk to our executive team, and by charting a course for the future with him from recorded music to touring, film/TV to digital media, and more. We are collectively very proud of this moment.”

A Black-owned and self-funded entertainment company, Insignia Assets’ music portfolio includes Christian and Gospel labels Tribl Records, Maverick City Music and Fo Yo Soul Recordings, and R&B label Platform Sounds. Additional divisions include Undivided Entertainment for touring and event productions, 3 Diamonds Entertainment for television and film, as well as the Icho Group, the marketing engine of the diversified enterprise.

Insignia Assets aims to be a leading global entertainment company by delivering impactful, inspirational content to a diverse audience. At its core, Insignia Assets operates with a deep commitment to fostering collaborations with talented Black creators, visionary entrepreneurs, and innovative professionals across all forms of entertainment. By championing diverse narratives, curating groundbreaking projects, and cultivating meaningful relationships, Insignia Assets strives to redefine the entertainment industry and create an ecosystem where Black creativity flourishes and resonates with audiences everywhere.

Ron Hill, President of Recorded Music, TRIBL Music Group and Head of Touring, Undivided Entertainment said: “Kirk is not just an artist, he’s a cultural architect who has reshaped the landscape of faith and entertainment. This partnership with Insignia marks a new chapter, where shared vision and leadership come together to build lasting value, elevate culture, and shift the industry from within.”

Insignia Assets’ award-winning leadership team of visionaries is comprised of:

Norman Gyamfi – Co-Founder and CEO, Insignia Assets
Norman Gyamfi is a visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Insignia Assets, overseeing Maverick City Music, Undivided Touring, 3 Diamonds Ent., and Tribl Records. A three-time GRAMMY® Award winner with multiple Billboard #1 albums, Gyamfi has revolutionized faith-based touring through collaborations with industry giants Live Nation, AEG, and WME. His innovative approach, rooted in faith, is reshaping the global landscape of inspirational music.

Jonathan Jay – Co-Founder, Insignia Assets; Co-Founder and CEO, Maverick City Music
Jonathan Jay, co-founder of Maverick City Music and Insignia Assets, LLC, is a highly acclaimed music executive and serial entrepreneur known for his significant impact on the music industry. A 5-time GRAMMY® Award winner, 17-time Dove Award nominee, and Billboard’s #1 Gospel Music Producer, Jay is committed to creativity, collaboration, and diversity.

EJ Gaines, Esq. – Chief Strategy Officer, Insignia Assets
EJ Gaines is a seasoned music executive and entertainment lawyer with a 25-year track record in the music industry. Previously an IP attorney on Wall Street, he recently led Motown Gospel and spearheaded the revival of Tamla Records under Capitol/Universal. In these roles, EJ managed significant multi-million-dollar ventures, successfully expanding market presence and boosting profitability. Over the years, Gaines has guided the careers of countless chart-topping and award-winning recording artists, producers and songwriters, as well as on-screen talent and executives working behind the scenes.

Ron Hill – President of Recorded Music, TRIBL Music Group; Head of Touring, Undivided Entertainment
Ron Hill is an innovative leader with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. From managing Kirk Franklin to producing successful tours, TV series, and chart-topping albums, Hill has significantly reshaped the faith-based entertainment landscape through his creative vision and unwavering commitment. He currently serves as President of Recorded Music for TRIBL Music Group and Head of Touring for Undivided Entertainment.

Phil Thornton – CEO, 3 Diamonds Entertainment; EVP, Insignia Assets
Phil Thornton is a trailblazing entertainment executive and co-founder of 3 Diamonds. A key figure in both the music and television industries, Phil has held senior leadership roles at Capitol Christian Music Group (CMG) and RCA Inspiration, working with artists like Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp. Over the past several years, Thornton executive produced the Lifetime film Surviving Compton, the NAACP Image Award-winning show It’s a Mann’s World, Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story, and several episodes of TV One’s popular series Uncensored. More recently, Thornton teamed up with Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner to executive produce the Luther Vandross documentary Never Too Much, while his podcast We Sound Crazybecame a Sirius XM show and Emmy® -nominated television series.

Trell Woodberry – COO, 3 Diamonds Entertainment
Trell Woodberry is an actor, producer, and writer with a background in Project Management and a degree in Computer Science from North Carolina A&T State University. As the founder of T. Wood Productions, Trell has developed a reputation for blending creative storytelling with strategic thinking. His projects include the critically acclaimed series For the Love of Jason and the feature film The Day Before Christmas. As a partner at 3 Diamonds, Woodberry specializes in producing groundbreaking scripted and unscripted television, film, and live events.

Kirk Franklin – CEO, Fo Yo Soul Recordings; Chief of Creative Services, Insignia Assets
Kirk Franklin is a 20-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and music icon. For over three decades, he has been a transformative force in contemporary Gospel Music, masterfully blending Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop to create a unique and enduring sound that resonates across generations. Known as one of the most impactful and innovative figures in modern music, Franklin continues to expand the reach of Gospel Music, redefining its place in mainstream culture. In addition to his recording career, Franklin has also ventured into various media and entertainment projects.