I had the privilege of attending the Fellowship of African Gospel Artists (FOAGA), Award Ceremony in Philadelphia this weekend. I accompanied Gospel artist Mary Kaleli who won an award in the Traditional Artist category. Mary has made the Kenyan Community proud. She touched many as she sang her signature song “You are Unique”. She exhibited her trail blazing spirit as she bridged the gap between East African Gospel Music with West African Gospel Music and being part of preserving the uniqueness of the rich African musical heritage.
As I attended this event, I did not know what to expect but as the event unfolded, I could not help walking through the memory lane of the uniqueness and the rich music culture of the African Continent which was exhibited in the organizational skills of FOAGA leadership and in the diverse gospel artists who participated.
Every Gospel Artist was authentic in revealing the rich musical skills that for generations were passed on orally and uniquely allowing the Holy Spirit put His seal on it. By watching the well-organized award ceremony, I experienced the unpolluted influence of the godly African music in diaspora; that is armed with the banner of the cross spreading good news, uniting the African Gospel Artists in the USA and beyond and validating that music has no boundaries.
Congratulations FOAGA (www.foaga.org) for your first award ceremony and keep the uniqueness of the African music alive.
By – Beatrice Ndura
The writer is the CEO/Host Pinnacle of Praise Show, Director Safe Harbor Christian Counseling, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the Author of a Woman of Influence: Empowered by God.
Diaspora Kenyan wins African Gospel Award-Uniqueness That Cannot be Ignored
