2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon "The Gospel of Durham"

The 2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon, held today at the Durham Convention Center, welcomed more than 300 attendees according to Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Shelly Green. DCVB produces the event each year to celebrate an aspect of Durham's unique sense of place, and the people, places, events, and things that make Durham distinct.

From left to right, DCVB President & CEO Shelly Green,
Annual Tribute Luncheon Honoree Shirley Caesar and
Co-host, Minnie Forte-Brown, Vice Chair,
Durham Public Schools Board of Education

Durham native and eleven-time Grammy winner Pastor Shirley Caesar was this year's honoree, with the theme, "The Gospel of Durham."  According to Green, "We are extremely excited to share the good news about Pastor Caesar, and Durham, today. We don't hold a traditional annual meeting. Rather, we use this event as a showcase to help people understand Durham, and all its facets," she added.

A short documentary video about Pastor Caesar debuted at the event. Local weekly newspaper, The Indy Week, featured Caesar as their cover story this week, and a very special greeting was read to Pastor Caesar, from former president, Bill Clinton. President and Secretary Clinton are close personal friends of Pastor Caesar, and they sent their congratulations in a personal note read aloud as a special surprise during the event. Pastor Caesar was excited to hear their kind words. "I am so glad I had the privilege to be a part of the Durham City Council. I always come back home. I love Durham."

Caesar's contributions to Durham are numerous and far-reaching. Pastor Caesar was elected to the Durham City Council and served from 1987 to 1991. She is also a cheerleader for Durham wherever she goes, and as an international Gospel star, that's a lot of places. Pastor Caesar also personally funds the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries in Durham to help the less fortunate. The Pastor has also acted in Hollywood films, and performed on Broadway. While Pastor Caesar has won Grammy Awards and dozens of other music awards, this award from her local Durham community holds special meaning.

Upon accepting the award, Caesar expressed appreciation for the recognition from the community, “This is a privilege. It's an honor. Even when I left the clay hills of North Carolina, I always came home. You can always come home when you can't go anyplace else. Thank God for home."

This event is produced annually and in the past has recognized the culinary arts, architecture, authors, events, and civic organizations. To see an image of the 2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon honorees click here.

The event is always a "who's who" of Durham and of the respective community being celebrated with today's event being no exception. "Events like this help to remind us all how special Durham is, and why we are all so proud to be here," Green said.

DCVB to Honor Shirley Caesar

Many say that the gospel is the good news, and good news is exactly what Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon is all about. This year’s honoree has also spent her life sharing good news.

Pastor Shirley Caesar, known worldwide as the Queen of Gospel Music, is certainly one of Durham’s most notable religious figures. Born and raised in Durham, Pastor Caesar started her singing career at age 11. Over the course of her career she has earned 11 Grammy Awards, a RIAA certified gold record & video, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Dove Awards, and numerous other accolades.  She has transcended the Gospel music arena starring in feature films, authoring books, and recording with everyone from Bob Dylan to Patti Labelle, making her one of music’s most celebrated and in demand personas.

Actively ministering throughout the world, she references Durham regularly, bringing praise to the community at every opportunity. After returning to Durham from Chicago following a successful eight-year run with the famed Caravans, Pastor Caesar founded the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Inc. in Durham to aid families in need with emergency funding, food, and shelter funded by 50% of her concert revenue.

In 1987 Pastor Caesar ran a successful campaign for Durham City Council and served from 1987 – 1991.  Her fame gives her an outstanding platform from which she shares her love of this place, and DCVB is excited to be honoring her this year. Pastor Caesar is equally as excited. When asked how it felt to be honored in this way she said, “It's nice to be appreciated. I’m grateful Durham is thankful to have me because I am still a part of Durham.”

Scheduled for April 24th, 2013 at 11:30 AM in the Durham Convention Center, the luncheon is always an event to remember. Tickets are on sale now at tributeluncheon.com. The event is expected to be a sell-out.

“This event is a way for a special aspect of Durham to be celebrated every year,” said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes this annual event. “Her roots and her heart are still in Durham. We’re happy to recognize her contributions this way.”

Shirley Caesar Honored with BET's Living Legend Award

Shirley Caesar, who started her singing career in Durham, is being honored by BET - The Black Entertainment Network with their Living Legend Award.  In her career as a gospel singer, Caesar has won 11 Grammy Awards and released over 30 gospel albums since embarking on a solo career in 1966 and is considered the "First Lady of Gospel."

Currently Caesar splits her time pastoring a church and traveling to speak professionally.  Her BET honor is another accolade in a long line of career and life achievements. Caesar embodies what it means to be a living legend with her grace, poise, class and what has been described as "the voice of an angel." Her career spans over five decades and she has sold of over 2 million records. Some fifty years after she began her recording career, the legendary singer and songwriter continues to stir the souls of millions of faithful fans with classics like “Sweeping Through the City” and “You’re Next In Line For A Miracle.”

Caesar is in good company in Durham's musical history.  Grammy award winning Nneena Freelon is among the world's most famous jazz vocalists, and hip hop artist 9th Wonder also hails from the Bull City.