Atlanta Daily World

Label Asks For Prayer and Support For Christian Rapper Tedashii After Death of His Infant Son

Just before Good Friday it was revealed that Christian rapper Tedashii, who is originally from Houston, recently lost his 1-year-old son.

No specifics were provided, but his label did post a blog entry on their website urging fans to pray and even financially support the artist and his family as they mourn this great loss.

The Reach Records website notes:

This month Tedashii's family suffered a terrible tragedy. His one year old boy passed away. Please join us as we encourage and bless our brother Tedashii and his family at this time. Read the blog (below) from His Voice Global to find out how you can help.

Tedashii's family has suffered a terrible tragedy this month. His one year old boy passed away. As we grieve with him and his family we also want to bless them. As you know, Tedashii's job takes him from city to city where he performs and blesses thousands of people with his art. In this time, we want to offer him the opportunity to stay home with his family, grieve, begin to heal, seek the Lord, be comforted and to comfort. The perception is that if one is a traveling musician, they have more money than they know what to do with. The fact is, that is just not true. We want to bless him with the gift of not having to worry about being on the road to make ends meet. Our goal: To provide for our brother and his family for 6 months. This means raising enough money to cover all of the family's expenses. Join us in caring for our dear friends.

Please visit reachrecords.com if you wish to help.

Just two weeks ago Tedashii completed a 20-date tour as part of The Rock & Worship Roadshow with MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, and others.

Healing of the Heart Ministries Offers Dialogue on Sexual Trauma

In recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Healing of the Heart Ministries will host a conference offering discussion and dialogue for survivors and family members seeking help to handle sexual abuse crisis and conflicts stemming from homosexuality in the family.

Themed "Beyond Pain to Wholeness: Overcoming the Stigma," the conference takes place Saturday, April 6 at the Georgia International Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The event organizers hope the conference will serve as training ground for mental health and counseling professionals, as well as pastors and church leaders, providing them with hands-on resources to confront and repair all areas of sexual conflict, trauma and abuse.

"When we read the stories in the media or hear admonishments from the pulpit, we can lose sight that there's a face behind every story of sexual abuse and struggle," says event organizer Dr. Betty L. Mitchell. "This conference equips those on the front lines of mental health and ministry with current techniques and methods to better help our clients and congregants."

For more than two decades, Mitchell has ministered to hundreds of men and women traumatized by the effects of sexual trauma. Mitchell holds her doctorate in Pastoral and Clinical Counseling along with a master's degree in education from Pepperdine University. She is a member of the National Christian Counselors Association and the Black Christian Council Association.

Presented in partnership with Open Word Christian Ministries and the Georgia chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses, the daylong event includes keynote speakers, a question-and-answer discussion and testimonials from survivors of sexual trauma.

Kirk Franklin Teams Up With House of Blues

Grammy-Award winning star and Gospel music icon Kirk Franklin is joining forces with House of Blues and its venues across the United States to create a new Gospel Brunch experience as part of its year-long 20th Anniversary Celebration.

House of Blues Gospel Brunch has been a staple of Sunday morning family entertainment around the country for over two decades. Now House of Blues has reinvented the renowned dining entertaining experience with even more spectacular interactive energy and excitement.

Considered by many to be the most popular brunch experience in the country, Kirk Franklin’s Gospel Brunch at House of Blues will be unveiled for the first time at House of Blues locations across the country this Mother’s Day, May 12th. The new Gospel Brunch experience will be infused with the same kind of contemporary energy that has made Franklin the biggest selling Gospel Music artist in the world.

For the past few months, Franklin has been heavily engaged in creating the new Gospel Brunch experience, visiting many of the House of Blues clubs in person and tailoring each show to fit the club’s individual market. His aim is for Gospel Brunch guests be treated to an uplifting live music and dining spectacle that will bring them to their feet, have them clapping, singing and creating unforgettable memories.

“House of Blues’ Gospel Brunch is an American institution, so I am honored to be working hand-in-hand with them to revitalize the experience for music fans of all ages,” said Mr. Franklin. “This has really been a labor of love for me and I’m excited for everyone to see what we’ve created when we kick things off on Mother’s Day.”

House of Blues President Ron Bension said, “For two decades House of Blues has been a special place for fans and performers to share musical moments, memories and meals unlike any other place in the world. As we head in to our next 20 years we wanted to make this Sunday tradition even better by showcasing the greatest gospel music of yesterday, today and tomorrow with someone amazing like Kirk Franklin.”

The all-you-can-eat Gospel Brunch is a non-denominational, participative celebration of gospel music to help wipe away the week’s troubles and inspire the week ahead. With a buffet menu that is ever-evolving, it features southern specialties and morning feast favorites such as cornbread muffins and maple butter, Creole chicken and shrimp jambalaya, chicken and waffles, carving stations, plus create-your-own Bloody Mary and mimosa bars.

Founded in 1992, House of Blues are located throughout the United States and form the country’s pre-eminent group of intimate music venues. Each features state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology in one-of-a-kind custom designed environments aimed to bring fans as close as possible to the artists. Every location’s restaurant and bar is adorned with signature original folk-art – part of the world’s largest collection – combined with the House of Blues legendary hospitality and tantalizing cuisine.

Kirk Franklin’s Gospel Brunch at House of Blues will debut on May 12th at House of Blues locations which including Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Cleveland, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the International House of Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides arts and cultural educational programs and resources for youth in communities across the United States.

YWCA Hosts Women’s History Month Panel

The YWCA of Greater Atlanta and the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor recently hosted "A Fireside Chat" featuring a panel of executive women to mark Women's History Month.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Managing Editor Monica R. Richardson (center) moderated the event featuring Rabbi and physician Analia Bortz (from left); Nita Sardana, vice president American Cyber Systems; and Alvetta Peterman Thomas, president of Atlanta Technical College. They talked about the challenges of balancing work and family during the program at the Georgia Power Company auditorium.