Williams Attends Dorothy Norwood Concert to Celebrate Senior Citizens Day in Houston; Roland Martin’s Live Podcast Arrives for Southwest Cluster

HOUSTON – Harnell William, National Area One Director, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.(TLOD), joined Gospel Extraordinaire, Dorothy Norwood, at the Ninth Annual “Senior Citizens Day Concert” in Houston, Texas on November 3, 2018 with more than 2,000 seniors in attendance.

After Norwood’s manager was informed that Williams, who was in Houston to preside over the annual Southwest Cluster Workday, was in attendance, and that Senior Citizens is one of the national programs of TLOD, she was invited to meet and dialogue with Norwood.

“It was a great opportunity to meet the gospel legend I grew up with and to know that we are both advocates for senior citizens.,” she said.

The crowd was blessed by her classics, “Victory Is Mine; arguably, one of the greatest congregational hymns of all time which still appears in national commercials and Hollywood feature films such as “The Help”, and “Shake the Devil Off”. “The concert was one of the kind in that it chilled your body and your soul.  Every song brought thousands to their feet,” Williams added.

While presiding at the Southwest Cluster, all activities were halted when world-renounced journalist, Roland Martin, a Houstonian, arrived with hundreds of followers to introduce candidates vying for votes and to encourage all registered voters to vote.

Award-winning journalist, author, TV host and multimedia entrepreneur Roland S. Martin launched #RolandMartinUnfiltered, a daily digital show, on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. The show will report on news and current events that are important to people of color, covering a wide range of topics including politics, social justice, sports, education, business, finance, entertainment, and pop culture.

“This is a critical time; we cannot sat idly by and not take back our country,” he said.  The crowd responded with cheers and applauses.

Williams, a Dallas educator, retired after 35years of service, from Atwell Law Academy as principal in 2011.  While serving as president of Dallas, she was elected as National Area One Director in 2015.   She provides leadership to TLOD and Top Teens of America in Area One which includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.  Area One is the largest of the six areas in TLOD.

A native of Tyler, Texas, she became the first African American drum major of John Tyler High School.  A past president of Top Teens of America, the Rose City Chapter, Williams was selected as the first National President of Top Teens of America.  She is a graduate of East Texas State University, currently Texas A&M at Commerce, where she received numerous degrees.  She is a Life Member of TLOD and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dorothy Norwood officially began her gospel career in 1956, singing with Mahalia Jackson, Reverend James Cleveland, and with one of the greatest female gospel groups of all time, The Caravans. In 1960, she launched her solo career with Savoy Records, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus in 1964. This release was quickly followed by Denied Mother in 1965, earning Norwood the title, “The World’s Greatest Storyteller.” Both projects certified gold.  Other gospel artists performing included:  Melvin Williams, Luther Barnes and Endurance.

Mistress of Ceremony of the concert was Letitia “TISH” Jackson, the morning show host for KWWJ Radio Baytown, Houston.  Her show “Wings of Faith” has been rated one of the top gospel programs in the country.