 Rev. Dr. Yvette
Flunder, DM., Div.Senior Pastor, City of Refuge United Church of Christ Presiding Bishop, Refuge Ministries/Fellowship 2000 Rev.
Flunder founded the City of Refuge Community Church UCC in 1991 in order to
unite a gospel ministry with a social ministry. City of Refuge is a
thriving inner-city congregation that celebrates the radically inclusive
love of Jesus Christ. Preaching a message of action, the church has
experienced steady numerical and spiritual growth and is now located in the
south of Market area of San Francisco at 1025 Howard Street. Responding to the needs of the AIDS epidemic, Rev. Flunder and her staff opened Hazard-Ashley House and Walker House in Oakland and Restoration House in San Francisco through the Ark of Refuge, Inc., a non-profit agency whose purpose is to provide housing, direct services, education and training for persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the Bay Area, throughout the USA and in three countries in Africa. Restoration House is a dual-diagnosis residential facility for African-American women and the first of its kind in San Francisco. Walker House is licensed by the State of California as a Critical Care Facility. Ark House provides transitional housing for homeless youth. The Ark provides HIV/AIDS education and prevention services targeting the African American and African faith community. The Ark recently opened, in collaboration with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Magic Johnson Clinic to provide primary medical care services. The Ark also provides substance abuse intervention programs and several programs designed to support inner-city youth. Rev.
Flunder serves as Executive Director of the Ark of Refuge, Inc., and a
consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust and the Department of Health
and Human Services. She also serves as chair of the Social Justice
Commission for the World Bishops Council. |
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Carl Wheeler Along with some high school friends, he became the keyboardist and background vocalist for Shella E. They were the opening act for Lionel Ritchie on the "Dancing on the Ceiling" tour. They also toured Japan with the "Artist". The group Toni! Toni! Ton'e! assembled in 1986 and Carl was the keyboardist and musical director. The Toni's went on to record their first album in 1987 entitled "Who?". The groups second album "Revival" came in 1989. Carl co-wrote many songs on that project including two "1 hits "Feel Good and "Whatever You Want". Carl also wrote the #1 hit and Grammy nominated song "Anniversary" from the groups third album "Sons of Soul". Most of the songs that were performed and
recorded by Toni-Toni-Tone' were written Carl has produced and recorded two Gospel albums and also toured with Walter, Edwin and Tramaine Hawkins. He also toured with Lynette Stephens. Carl has played with a number of artist such as Bobby McFerrin, Too Short and on the remix of "The Morning After". He also manages and operates "Coda Studios" in Oakland, CA. Still writing, arranging and producing many gospel artist such as Eugene Cole and Persuaded, Bishop Walter Hawkins, The Sacramento Metropolitan Choir of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and many others - he plays with the famous Frankie Beverly and Maze. I am very proud to be connected with such a wonderful and talented musician. |
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Patrisha A. Gill & Janice Steele |
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Henry Jackson is one of today's leading gospel singers, songwriters, and musicians. Henry was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and was raised in the music rich bay area of San Francisco, California. He studied classical piano at the San Francisco Music and Arts Institute.
Henry began his recording career in the early 70’s with the Harrison Johnson Los Angeles Community Choir, writing and producing such songs as “Help Us Master”, “Nothing Can Turn Me Around,” and the toe-tappin’ “I’m SO Thankful.” Henry went on to form the group known as “The Henry Jackson Company” who recorded three albums, and whose recordings always charted in the Top 20 in Billboard Magazine. Henry has recorded 2 solo albums, working with such producers as D.J. Rogers, James Cleveland and Gene Barge. He has been featured on USO Television “The Black Stage”; on Christian Television Network KTBN with former Miss America, Cheryl Pruitt; on BET’s “The Bobby Jones Show” and with Lou Rawls in the Johnny Carson Show. He has also appeared and sand with Faith Hill in a “Pepsi” commercial aired on Super Bowl Sunday 2002.
A very prolific songwriter, Henry’s songs have been recorded by such artists as the Grammy nominated “Father Charles Hayes & The Cosmopolitan Church Choir” of Chicago, Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Choir, and most recently the Los Angeles Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America founded by the late, Grammy winning Rev. James Cleveland.
Henry has performed with such great gospel greats as Andre & Sandra Crouch, Edwin & Walter Hawkins, the legendary Clara Ward Singers, and many more. Henry has also performed with secular artists such as Lou Rawls, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and has served as ‘gospel’ musical conducted for Dionne Warwick.
Henry recently formed a new choir known as “The Voices of Community.” That choir recorded a “live” CD to be released later this year.
Henry is also dedicated to church ministry, and when not traveling and performing, serves as minister of music at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Venice, California.
Henry Jackson is a legend in the field of gospel music. |
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 Young Adult Voices - GMWA Third Row: Left top to right Ray Owsley,Tenor - Richard Cooper, Tenor - Andre Tharp, Tenor - Kenny Little, Musician Yoosef Surney, Tenor - Dion Williams, Tenor
(Seated) Second Row: Left to right The Young Adult Voices, under the direction of Alfreda Lyons-Campbell, is a multi-denominational, community choir, who’s mission it is to bring the joy of the Lord and blessings of praise to all who will listen and receive through the ministry of song. The choir has stirred the hearts of audiences throughout the country in multi-faith church services, corporate events, gospel concerts and workshops, national conventions, as well as, community service and outreach performances. This inspired choir has opened for many of gospel music’s top recording stars, including Richard Smallwood, New Kids On The Block, Ted & Sheri, Byron Cage and Tramaine Hawkins. The Young Adult Voices draw accolades for their contemporary uplifting sound, their rich and powerful vocal harmonies, and their infectious, soul-stirring spirit of praise. First formed in 1986 under the watchful eye of Helen J. H. Stephens. In addition to the 25-voice choir, The Young Adult Voices includes a musical staff that consists of piano, organ, guitar, drums and percussion. They are all long standing members, and an affiliate choir of the Northern California Chapter of The Gospel Music Workshop Of America. The choir is solely supported by pledges from its membership and charitable contributions from churches, individuals, and businesses. The choir’s services are available to the community at large.
Genre:
Contemporary and Traditional Black Gospel Music |
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Gill & Steele Gill & Steele are a piano/vocal duo who put on an extremely
entertaining stage show that offers a wide range of music expertly
performed in their own inimitable fashion. As you can tell from the vast assortment of music that Gill
& Steele perform, theirs is not a typical piano/vocal duo
show. There is something for everybody! Some of the places where Gill & Steele have performed include:
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Janice
Steele's vocal career began at an early age, singing in her
local church choir and on city and state music competitions. Eventually,
Janice joined her brothers and sisters as part of The Steele Family;
singing and performing with such gospel greats as the late Rev. James
Cleveland, The Original Soul Stirrers, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama
and The Hawkins Family.
Henrietta
Davis