Faith + Family
Divine Deciders
September 6, 2012 · Updated March 6, 2019·By BLAC Editorial
The judging panel and hosts of this year’s How Sweet The Sound
September 6, 2012 · Updated March 6, 2019
Local choirs will compete for the title of “The Best Gospel Choir in America” during Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound, coming to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Saturday, Sept. 15.
The 5th annual celebration of gospel music will feature favorites of the genre, such as hosts Donald Lawrence and Yolanda Adams.
Flip through to see and learn more about this year's hosts and judging panel.
Donald Lawrence
Grammy-winning singer, producer and composer Donald Lawrence has become an influential figure in modern gospel music.
Yolanda Adams
Since her debut in the late 80s, Yolanda Adams became a prominent and celebrated figure of contemporary gospel and inspirational music.
Bishop Hezekiah Walker
Bishop Hezekiah X. Walker is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches in Brooklyn, New York and Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
CeCe Winans
After a career spanning nearly three decades, Detroit native CeCe Winans continues to set the standard for gospel singers and performers.
Fred Hammond
Another Detroit native, Fred Hammond has practiced his craft for more than 30 years.
Erica Campbell
As one half of Mary Mary, Erica Campbell has earned multiple awards and praise for her work.
Vashawn Mitchell
After topping the charts last year with his hit song "Nobody Greater," Mitchell's star continues to rise.
Every question deserves a better answer than a search result — here's where this story leads.
Why Every Metro Detroit Nonprofit Should Be Thinking About AI
How a local workshop is helping nonprofit leaders turn curiosity into practical action. For many nonprofit leaders, artificial intelligence still feels like something meant for Silicon Valley or Fortune 500 companies. It isn’t. Whether your organization has three employees or three hundred, AI is quickly becoming another tool that can help teams spend less time […]
Althea Gibson’s Second Act
Most people remember Althea Gibson as a tennis legend. Fewer know she also became the first Black woman to compete on the LPGA Tour, breaking another barrier and opening doors for generations of Black women golfers.
Detroit Jazz Festival 2026 Guide
A local guide to navigating the Detroit Labor Day weekend jazz celebration.
Help Us Get It Right
This coverage is a community project.
Spot something outdated? Know a person, business, or organization this story should connect to? A story we should tell next? It goes straight to our editors — privately.