Los Angeles, CA — Edna Tatum, radio announcer extraordinaire, will receive the 2009 Black Business Expo (BBX) Mahalia Jackson Gospel Legends Award during the West Coast GospeLive concert on Sunday, May 3, 4 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s Tom Bradley Hall.
The awards ceremony will be held during the 20th Reunion celebration of BBX. Tatum will be presented the award by Harold Hambrick, BBX president and John Phillips, radio announcer and previous honoree.
“Ms Tatum has done a tremendous service by keeping traditional gospel music alive in Los Angeles through her Sunday radio program on KPFK and her work with the L.A. Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America,” said Hambrick.
With a distinct, recognizable voice, Tatum has served as commentator for programs throughout the country and is well-known as the narrator for the “old landmark” concerts around Los Angeles (one of which was recently held at Macedonia Baptist Church). Throughout her career, she has worked with several gospel giants, including the Rev. James Cleveland, Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr Singers, Rev. Albert Jamison, Dottie Peoples, Bishop Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir, Rev. Daryl Coley and more. She recorded her own CD, “Words and Music Vol. I, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,” with the prolific, Billy Preston.
In addition to Tatum, the BBX’s GospeLive concert will pay tribute to two West Coast gospel legends, vocalist and keyboard artist Billy Preston and the Rev. James Cleveland, the icons whose singing, composing and arranging talents revolutionized the way in which gospel music was performed, recorded and accepted into the mainstream. Music videos of both legends and others will be shown, Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon between live performances of gospel music.
Sponsored by OneUnited Bank, Farmers Insurance and the City of Los Angeles, BBX brings the best of Black L.A. to consumers and businesses. Other scheduled events include, the Tom Bradley Business Institute (and Mayors Forum); Glory Kitchen Tastin’ Black Culture Food Court; West Coast Black Music Festival; Black Writers on Tour; the Fitness Health and Sports Pavilion; AfroKids World; Black College Row; GospeLive , Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs Teen Summit and Art Zone. Exhibit floor hours are Friday, May 1 and Sunday, May 3, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 2, noon to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for persons 12 and older. Children under 12 are free. For information, go to www.blackbusinessexpo.com.
