THE GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES ITS 2025 INDUCTEES AND SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS DURING BLACK MUSIC MONTH WITH MORE THAN 100 RECORD-BREAKING INDUCTIONS

Inductees include Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, The

Clark Sisters with Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Jacky Clark-Chisholm; Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell,

Warryn Campbell, Dr. Jekalyn Carr, Dr. Ricky Dillard ‘The Choir Master,’ Tye Tribbett, Rickey Smiley, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong,

Deitrick Haddon, Lisa Page-Lockhart and Other Gospel Greats

Posthumous Inductees included Dr. Whitney Houston,

Dr. Cissy Houston, Inez Andrews, Former Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Harold Lashaun Martin,

?and Al “The Bishop” Hobbs, Among Others

 

NEWS SOURCE: Cr8 Agency
August 20, 2025

More than 100 record-breaking inductions including Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, The Clark Sisters with Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Jacky Clark-Chisholm; Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Dr. Jekalyn Carr, Dr. Ricky Dillard “The Choir Master,” Tye Tribbett, Rickey Smiley, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Deitrick Haddon, Lisa Page-Lockhart and other gospel greats

St. Louis, MO – June 5, 2025 — As we celebrate the 46th Anniversary of Black Music Month, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (GMHOF) today announces its 2025 Induction Gala Ceremony and Expo. The two-day event is scheduled during Gospel Music Heritage Month on Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the St. Louis Convention Center, 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO.

With a record-breaking number of inductions totaling more than 100 individuals, this year’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame event will be one for the records. “Through the power of Gospel music, we not only celebrate our rich heritage but also unite hearts and souls in faith, hope, and joy,” says Dr. Monica R. Butler, founder of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, headquartered in St. Louis. Butler is also a career radio and television broadcaster and filmmaker. “Let us preserve and promote the timeliness messages of love and redemption, inspiring future generations to carry the light of the Gospel forward.”

The 4th Annual Gospel Music Hall of Fame Honorary Inductees & Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include multiple GRAMMY, Stellar, and GMA Dove Award winners and recording artists, among them Kirk Franklin (20-time GRAMMY Award winner); Yolanda Adams (four-time GRAMMY Award winner); The Clark Sisters with Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark (two-time GRAMMY Award winner), Karen Clark Sheard (four-time GRAMMY Award winner), Dorinda Clark-Cole (two-time GRAMMY Award winner), and Jacky Clark-Chisholm (two-time GRAMMY Award winner); Erica Campbell (six-time GRAMMY Award winner), Tina Campbell (four-time GRAMMY Award winner), Warryn Campbell (five-time GRAMMY Award winner), Dr. Jekalyn Carr (one-time GRAMMY Award winner), and Dr. Ricky Dillard, “The Choir Master” (eight-time GRAMMY-nominated recording artist).

Other double-award recipients include industry legends such as Claude Lataillade (co-founder of Gospo Centric Records, Lilly Mack Publishing, and co-owner of Central South Distribution) and Vicki Mack Lataillade, who revolutionized the gospel industry with Gospo Centric (named Billboard’s No. 1 Gospel label; 30M+ units) and Lilly Mack Publishing (1,200+ songs). Additional honorees include D3 Entertainment Group co-founders Kelvis “Clyde” Duffie, Michelle S. Duffie, and Kendall J. Duffie; Melanie Few (founder and longtime executive producer of the now-renamed Super Bowl Soulful Celebration); and Vy Higginsen (playwright/producer best known for MAMA, I WANT TO SING!).

Completing the list of double award recipients are Dr. Pat Houston (president/CEO of WhitNip Inc., executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation), Dr. Cheryl Jackson (author, speaker, business strategist and social entrepreneur), Debbie May (concert & stage production leader), Rosie Trenia Moore (founder of RTM Group Services), Gwendolyn Quinn (award-winning publicist and strategist), Meta Washington (SiriusXM Kirk Franklin’s Praise), Rev. Joseph L. Williams (senior pastor, Salem Bible Church of Atlanta), and Dr. Harvey Watkins, Jr. (lead singer, The Canton Spirituals).

Posthumous Inductees

The GMHOF will posthumously induct several impactful figures: Dr. Whitney Houston (“The Voice,” 220M+ combined albums/singles/videos; first Black recording artist with three RIAA Diamond-certified albums) and Dr. Cissy Houston (Drinkard Singers, The Sweet Inspirations; 10+ solo albums; renowned first-call backing vocalist); Inez Andrews (The Caravans; known for “Mary, Don’t You Weep”); Bishop Michael Alan Brooks (founding member, Commissioned; founder of Witness); and Ruby Summerville-Dickson (“Mother Ruby,” beloved St. Louis radio personality and singer).

Additional posthumous honorees include Al “The Bishop” Hobbs (visionary leader, GMWA; co-founder, Gospel Announcers Guild); Former Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (worked to help establish Gospel Music Heritage Month); Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson (GRAMMY-nominated, seven-time Stellar Award winner); Harold Lashaun Martin (multi-genre producer/songwriter with Kirk Franklin and others); and The O’Neal Twins — Edgar O’Neal (pianist) and Edward O’Neal (vocalist), trailblazers known for classics like “Jesus Dropped the Charges,” “Throw Out the Lifeline,” and “Power in the Blood.”

Additional Inductees

• Bishop Bruce V. Allen
• Vanessa Bell-Armstrong
• Gene Andrews Jr.
• Monica Bacon
• Dr. Percy Bady
• Evangelist Lemmie Battles
• Toya Beasley
• Rev. Dr. Jerome Allen Bell
• Dr. Laval W. Belle
• Sheilah Belle (“The Belle”)
• Tracey Bethea
• Dr. Liz Black
• Dr. Kevin Bond
• Lisa Page-Brooks
• Charlotte B. Brown
• Phyllis Caddell
• Congresswoman Erica Lee-Carter
• Reggie Chandler (“The Bishop of Comedy”)
• Dennis Cole
• Jarvis E. Cooper (“B.B. Jay”)
• Neily Dickerson
• Destiny Diggs
• Keith Dobbins
• Rodney East
• Chuck Flowers
• Neiko Flowers
• Eboni Funderburk
• Richard Gibbs
• GRIFF
• Deitrick Haddon
• Carlos Hale
• Aulsondro Hamilton (“Emcee N.I.C.E.”)
• Debra Renee “Snoopy” Hanna
• Dr. Steven Harris (“Bro. Steve Harris”)
• Bernie Hayes
• Dr. Debroah E. Holmes
• Dr. Lonnie V. Hunter
• Reverend Dr. Stephen Hurd
• Hasan James
• Roderick Jemison
• Charles Edward Johnson (“Pastor CeJay”)
• Benita Bellamy-Kelley
• Kevin Kelley
• Min. Michael J. Latchison
• Doc Lewis
• Greg Lyons (“Uncle G”)
• Rev. Dr. Manfret McGhee
• Gina Water Miller
• Willie Mae McIver
• Kymberlee Norsworthy
• Min. Joseph Price
• Johnny Sanders
• Bishop Leonard Scott
• Jerry Smith
• Tia A. Smith
• Rickey Smiley
• Damien Sneed
• Renee Spearman
• Pastor Angela Spivey
• Damon Stewart
• Dr. Spencer Taylor Jr.
• Tammy Taylor
• Walter P. Thomas
• Dr. Leonard Thompson III
• Tye Tribbett
• Bishop Larry D. Trotter
• Eric C. Tyler (“Snoopy”)
• Evangelist Gloria Jean Vann
• Adrian Warren

For full biographies and event information, visit www.mogospel.com.

About the Gospel Music Hall of Fame

The Gospel Music Hall of Fame (GMHOF) is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of gospel music while inspiring future generations. Through education centers, performance halls, and historical exhibits, GMHOF honors the genre’s pioneers and fosters the development of emerging talents. Its comprehensive approach includes state-of-the-art recording studios, wellness initiatives, and community-focused spaces, making it a cultural cornerstone for gospel music’s past, present, and future.

Media Contact

Rosie Trenia Moore
RTM Group Services (on behalf of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame)
info@rtmgroupservices.org · 214-235-6406
www.mogospel.com

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