Columbus' own, Anointed, has been celebrated and acknowledged for pioneering a unique sound, that crossed cultural and musical lines. Their infectious harmonies collaborating with noteworthy musical production, heart felt songs and spirited performances, helped to break down barriers of genre, styles, and markets. These trailblazers accomplished what few artist were able to, which was to appeal to a broad, multi-ethnic following, during their career.
Da'Dra Greathouse, Nissi Walls Allen, Mary Tiller Woods, and Steve Crawford, known as Anointed, were joined together during their youth. They were unified by the same vision and passion, which included encouraging, inspiring, and bringing hope to the world, through their music. What started as a local, then regional ministry, eventually blossomed into a worldwide, international reach, garnering countless opportunities of exposure, which propelled the group forward into tours and concerts, thereby fulfilling their vision.
Pastor Michael Young is a charismatic leader, visionary, community activist, and entrepreneur who serves as the Lead Pastor of City of Grace Church in Columbus, OH. Truly he is a lover of Jesus and a lover of people. Michael’s mission in life is to help others discover their God given purpose by leading them to an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ. His ministry has been featured on the Trinity Broadcast Network, The Word Network, and various other media outlets.
Pastor Timothy W. Carpenter began playing piano at the age of three. He took his first formal lesson at age four and continued his studies resulting in a piano scholarship to The University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music.
While studying classical piano he continued his love for Gospel music. He has worked with many of the legendary gospel artists including, Pastor Marvin Winans, Vicki Winans, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Fred Hammond, Commissioned, and The Clark Sisters.
Pastor Tim is an accomplished song writer penning songs recorded by Bishop Norman L. Wagner and The Mt. Calvary Concert Choir, which landed his first Stellar Award nomination, Tramaine Hawkins, on her Grammy winning “Live” recording and the “Hit” song “Jesus Promised”, recorded by the Chicago Mass Choir and Rev. Daryl Coley.
He has also been heralded as a master studio musician. His work on Fred Hammond’s “Lift Up Your Heads” on the Grammy Award winning, “Handel’s Soulful Messiah” showcased his masterful ability to arrange classical strings and piano over stylish synths peppered with a traditional gospel Hammond organ.
Pastor Carpenter has won critical acclaim as a Musical Director for several professional theatres. He has directed such musicals as “Oklahoma”, “South
Sean L. Walton, Jr. is a talented and highly sought-after litigator who focuses his practice on complex serious personal injury, wrongful death and civil rights matters. Sean takes an aggressive and innovative approach with every case, looking to utilize his legal acumen to fight for his clients each step of the way. For his work, Sean has been named a Rising Star in Ohio by Super Lawyers, a distinction only 2.5% of attorneys receive. He has also been named Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, the American Society of Legal Advocates, the National Black Lawyers, and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys.
Sean is a nationally respected trial attorney, frequently speaking on topics ranging from civil rights and police misconduct to trends and best practices in personal injury and civil rights litigation. For his work in advocating for victims, Sean has been interviewed or featured in national media outlets such as The Washington Post, New York Times, NBC Nightly News, CBS Nightly News, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, The Guardian and more. He has been named as one of ten “People to Know in the Law” by Columbus Business First magazine.
Click here for more information about our 2021 Community Leadership Honoree
Camille Doughty was born to Ernest and Bertha Doughty, being raised in Columbus, Ohio where she received her education and musical tutelage. She started singing publicly early at age 10 with the Green Gospel Singers.
Church Affiliations Accepting Christ at age 12, Camille joined Highway Church of God and was a member of the Adult Choir with credit to her strong voice. Later, she became a member of the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church under the leadership of her uncle, Pastor Shellie R. Doughty, Sr. There she sang with several of the church choirs and became a frequent soloist. As a young teen, she was a lead vocalist with the Inspirational Choir and helped to direct the Annual Inspirational Choir’s Concerts. Some years later, she united with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. G. Thomas Turner, Sr. where she was a featured singer with the Mass Choir and also directed for some time.
Camille moved to Michigan beginning April 1994 to serve in various capacities and ministries.
Marlan
James Gary, Licensed Funeral Director, and Embalmer, was born and raised in Warren, Ohio by mother Deborah Gary. He is a 1987 graduate of Warren Western Reserve High School and Veteran of The Ohio Army National Guard. Marlan began his career in funeral service at Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes servicing the cities of Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Middletown, Ohio. While working at the funeral home he attended Miami University and graduated from the Cincinnati Colege of Mortuary Science. Upon graduating, Marlan moved to Columbus, Ohio to work with his uncle David Gary, where he opened and operated Gary Memorial Chapel.
Click here to learn more of our 2019 Community Leadership Honoree
The Bible writes ”A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16 and further states “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Romans 13:7. Appreciating the gifts and calling of Bishop Roger J. Hairston Sr. is both fitting and proper. Bishop Hairston has inspired many hearts with his music and won untold numbers of souls to Christ through dynamic preaching. Bishop Hairston’s musical career began in 1967 at the tender age of 13 assisting his mother, Mrs. Henrietta Hairston while directing the youth and young adult choirs at Rose Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. At an early age, the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit rested on him and all who observed were blessed to have fellowship with Roger or witness his ministry unto the Lord. In 1970, his older brother, Superintendent Elder Richard L. Hairston prophetically witnessed his young brother’s calling and was moved by The Spirit to anoint Roger’s hands. Roger was chosen to play the piano and organ to drive out evil spirits from the opposed and usher people to worship God in sincerity and truth. Soon after being anointed and without formal lessons he began to play more skillfully. Another concerned observer, friend, and fellow musician John Anthony Johnson was instrumental involved with enriching Roger’s gift. Proceeding to the year 1971 through 1974 Roger directed Columbus East High School’s Gospel Choir. Roger made such an impact that upon graduation, Roger was made a teacher’s aide and continued with the school choir. Students who were members of the gospel choir received a half academic credit.
John H. Gregory, known as “The Solutions Man”, is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author. He is the CEO of the National Center for Urban Solutions, founder of the Academy for Urban Scholars High School (Columbus and Youngstown locations) and the founder of the National African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative.
Gregory has dedicated his life to the mired issued in the urban community and been recognized for innovative and creative projects generating immeasurable impact. His solutions have led to over 8,000 women being removed from public assistance through workforce training and employment, thousands of African American men employed and hundreds of urban youth obtaining their high school diploma.
He has been invited to the White House to share his innovative solutions on subjects of urban issues. Forming partnerships with corporate and community organizations, he’s created opportunities for address urban issues increasing employment, health, and workforce opportunities for all people.
Click to learn more of our 2018 Community Leadership Honoree
Lady Patricia A. Ross
Lady Patricia Ann Ross is a dedicated, loved, committed, woman of God whose sacrifice and devotion to God, her family, as well as the Body of Christ is evident in her everyday life.
Lady Ross is the First Lady Emeritus of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, which she served as First Lady for 50 years until her husband’s retirement December 31, 2016. She is an anointed woman of God, who lets God use her to minister to men, women, boys and girls encouraging them to seek the higher calling in their lives. October 19, 2003, she was licensed as a Minister to preach the Gospel, by her under Shepard and covering, Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr.
Lady Ross is a remarkable and inspiring woman with a multitude of gifts and talents. In 2012, she assumed the awesome responsibility of supporting and assisting her husband, Bishop Ross, Presiding Prelate of Kingdom Connection Fellowship as together they Advance the Kingdom sharing of their wisdom and leadership.
She is a well-known anointed singer who has been extremely active within her music ministry including serving with the Voices of Triedstone for over 50 years. Lady Ross is the former Assistant Chapter Representative with Gospel Music Workshop of American (GMWA).
Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr., a native of Mansfield, Ohio acknowledged his call to the ministry at the age of 15 in 1954. He possesses a Bachelor Degree in Theology from the Tennessee School of Religion in Memphis and an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. April 1995, he was consecrated to the office of Bishop by the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and served for ten years as the Bishop of the Pastors Division, comprised of over 1000 pastors internationally. March 1998, he was induced into the Martin Luther King, Board of Preachers (Preachers Hall of Fame) at Morehouse College – Atlanta. Throughout the years, he has served on many boards, held offices in many organizations and is the founding member of the Brothers of the Common Life. He has been honored to meet three U.S. Presidents: President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama.
In October 2012, a two day meeting was held at Triedstone at the request of fourteen pastors from Ohio, Georgia, and Pennsylvania who desired for Bishop Ross to formally become their father and establish a fellowship of pastors and churches. As a result, Kingdom Connection Fellowship International was formed and Bishop Ross became the Presiding Prelate during an enthronement service June 18, 2013. As of 2017, there are over 100 members in 12 states, the Bahamas and Nigeria.
Click to learn more of our 2017 Community Leadership Honoree
Lady Patricia A. Ross
Lady Patricia Ann Ross is a dedicated, loved, committed, woman of God whose sacrifice and devotion to God, her family, as well as the Body of Christ is evident in her everyday life.
Lady Ross is the First Lady Emeritus of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, which she served as First Lady for 50 years until her husband’s retirement December 31, 2016. She is an anointed woman of God, who lets God use her to minister to men, women, boys and girls encouraging them to seek the higher calling in their lives. October 19, 2003, she was licensed as a Minister to preach the Gospel, by her under Shepard and covering, Bishop Jerome H. Ross, Sr.
Lady Ross is a remarkable and inspiring woman with a multitude of gifts and talents. In 2012, she assumed the awesome responsibility of supporting and assisting her husband, Bishop Ross, Presiding Prelate of Kingdom Connection Fellowship as together they Advance the Kingdom sharing of their wisdom and leadership.
She is a well-known anointed singer who has been extremely active within her music ministry including serving with the Voices of Triedstone for over 50 years. Lady Ross is the former Assistant Chapter Representative with Gospel Music Workshop of American (GMWA). She has been featured soloist on three Triedstone Baptist Church albums: Sunday Morning at the Stone, Just to Behold his Face, and Triedtone Live.
Click to learn more of our 2017 Community Leadership Honoree
Rev. Raymond Wise, Ph. D., a native of Baltimore, Md., is the son of C. Dexter Wise Jr. and Rev. Julia Virginia Wise. He began his musical career at the age of three, singing gospel music with his family singing group "The Wise Singers." Rev. Wise was educated through the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated second out of class of 500 from the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community High School in 1979.
He then went on to Denison University (Granville, Ohio) where he reorganized the Black Student Union Choir, started the Black Student Union Ensemble and Dance company and earned a B.F.A. in Music. From there he went on to study Opera, Art, and German at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria, then on to study African-American History, Music, and Dance at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California. He completed an apprenticeship in the business and recording of Gospel Music with the Walter Hawkins Corporation in Oakland, California. Rev. Wise was awarded a Graduate Fellowship from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where earned his Masters in Music Education and Ohio Teacher's Certification. In addition he also completed a Doctorate in Music Education at the Ohio State University for which his dissertation topic is "Defining African American Gospel Music by Tracing its Historical and Musical Development from 1900 to 2000."
Milton Vaughn Ruffin holds a BA in Jazz Studies and BA, MA and PhD degrees in Music Education from The Ohio State University. He has been employed by Columbus City Schools for 24 years, currently as principal and director of the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center. Under Dr. Ruffin's leadership, Fort Hayes has been designated as a "School of Promise" by the State of Ohio, and identified as one of the "Top 100 High Schools in America" by U.S. News and World Report; also, the school was chosen by President Obama to introduce the Jobs Act. Fort Hayes is a member of the prestigious Berklee City Music network and has been awarded a Grammy Award as a Grammy Signature School for the 2011-2012 school year.
Dr. Ruffin has presented at numerous conferences including OMEA and the Berklee City Music conference. A highly respected musician, Dr. Ruffin was the composer for the Columbus 200 Celebration Anthem for the city of Columbus, Ohio.
Ruffin was previously the instrumental music instructor and band director at the Monroe Traditional Middle School where he developed a program that included over sixty percent of the student body.
Click here to learn more of our 2016 Community Leadership Honoree
Pastor Von Thomas, The song, Use Me Lord, Be Glorified in Me, written by Pastor Von, clearly reflects her life and ministry. Her music ministry of over 40 years includes psalmist, songwriter, pianist/organist, choir director, and minister of music. A native of Columbus, Ohio; she is the founder and pastor of the Abundant Life Christian Center (Columbus, Ohio) and founder and president of Von Thomas Ministries, Inc. Motivated by her passion to bring unity to the Body of Christ, Pastor Von used music as the vehicle to annihilate denominational, racial, and generational barriers. In 1987, with the prayers and support of the late Bishop Kenneth L. Bligen, her vision came to fruition as Von Thomas & Friends Interdenominational Love Choir (the Love Choir) held it first concert at the Rehoboth Temple Church. A total of 11 churches participated. Although its beginnings were small, God gave amazing increase as the Love Choir grew from 70 voices to 250, representing 56 participating churches. Surely God was glorified as lives were changed by His divine presence. In 1997, the Love Choir recorded its first live CD, Whatsoever Things, and later recorded a second project, When I Let Go. Pastor Von is well known for her gift to write songs. Many of her compositions are sung by choirs both locally and nationally. Under the direction of Dr. Raymond Wise, two of her compositions, Hear our Prayer and We Just Want to Praise You, were sung by the Mass Choir at the 77th Annual Hampton University Choir Directors and Organists Guild Conference in June 2011. Hear Our Prayer was published in the Hymn and Service Song Book. Pastor Von is the recipient of numerous awards for the musical accomplishments and for her service in the community. Included among these are the Columbus Gospel Music Legend Award by the Vocal Ensemble of Columbus State Community College, the Legacy Award to Christian Artists of Central Ohio, the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award by the Columbus Education Association, the Living Faith Award, the Community Activist Award by St. Dominic Catholic Diocese, the Women of Excellence Award, the Remarkable Woman Award, and more. Realizing the every good and perfect gift is from above, Pastor Von humbly declares, “To God by the glory for the things He has done.”
Thommy Adams is a director, composer, and clinician. He has served in music ministry in Columbus, Ohio for more than thirty years, before relocating to Los Angeles, CA in November 2007. His church roots began in Gospel Tabernacle Unity Holy Church in Columbus, Ohio. Thommy continued his spiritual growth and development at the Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Rehoboth Temple COOLJC, and New Covenant Believers’ Church. There he served as director of the adult and mass choirs. Thommy worships at Spirt and Truth Worship Center (UPCI) of Orange County. Thommy has received numerous honors and awards from churches, civic organizations, city and state governments. He has written and arranged over 300 songs. In 1998, Thommy recorded a CD <i>The Awakening, Get’N Back to Gospel </i>featuring 150 voice choir singing some of Thommy’s personal favorite compositions and arrangements. It is Thommy’s desire to motivate and inspire singers to realize the importance and the IMPACT of the music ministry in the worship service and to never praise the gift more than the Giver of the gift, JESUS Christ.
