Faith & Clergy

Tamela and David Mann: Launch Book and World Tour

Published

5 years ago

November 19, 2018

They’ve made you laugh, they’ve made you cry but whatever they have done, they did it together as a married couple; David and Tamela Mann. From Meet the Browns to Mann and Wife; from singing for gospel great Kirk Franklin to acting for entertainment titan Tyler Perry, the Mann’s have made all the right moves to prepare their own empire.
This fall the power couple, founders of Tillyman Music Group, launched their Us Against The World Mann Tour, first-ever joint album Us Against The World: The Love Project and their new memoir, Us Against The World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family. With so much on the horizon the Mann’s say they simply wanted to celebrate their 30 years of marriage with the world.
In writing their book, Tamela hopes she can help save marriages by sharing an honest account of how they’ve weathered their storms.
“We want to make marriage great again,” said Tamela. “Couples need hope and we don’t want couples to give up or throw in the towel. Life is a circle, so if you divorce and move on to the next one, understand that you will continue to learn the same lessons. Ask the Lord to help you complete what you started and stay strong.”
The Mann’s new album, the Love Project features their first ever duet.
“Our album is not a gospel album, but speaks about genuine love between and a man and a wife, and people need to hear from a couple that loves each other and loves the Lord and this is possible,” said David.
Earlier the Manns were honored at the NAACP Image Awards for their docu-series The Manns on TV One. Tamela was also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Stellar Gospel Music Awards and received 2018 Billboard Music Award nominations for “Top Gospel Artist” and “Top Gospel Song” for “Change Me” from her 2017 Billboard Music Award-winning, No. 1-selling album, One Way. Last year, Tamela broke the record for the most No. 1’s in the history of Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart when “Change Me” became her sixth leader, topping the charts for three and a half months.
Sharing their faith beyond church walls is of the utmost importance to the Manns.
“We need to take ourselves out of the church box because God called us to help all people,” said Tamela. “We’ve opened up our minds to be able to become all things to all men and pull those not into the church house, in. We must be amongst people in order to spread the gospel because Jesus lives in us and we can be in the world and not of it.”
For the Manns, expanding their ministry from the gospel to the secular world was not a difficult transition.
“The secular world already knew who we were – that we were Christians and for Christ,” said Tamela. “We are all about bringing our belief to the larger world,” said David.
The duo also says working with Kirk Franklin taught them the importance of working in unison with a leader while Tyler Perry showed them how to capture their audience.
While the Manns work hard to bring positivity to the world, they will not ignore the hate they see in America.
“Society has taken some steps forward, but one entity has taken us all 10 steps back and when our leaders lower their moral standards, that bleeds down to people under them and becomes acceptable,” said David. “It’s never acceptable behavior.”
Tamela says fans can look forward to her leisure wear debuting in Ashley Stewart stores in this month and a new Christmas movie, “Merry Wish-mas” on TV One.
“Again we want to encourage families and bring them together. The family structure is not dead; there is still hope for the family.”

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Bay Area

Zefer O’Neal Ward, 105

Zefer O’Neal Ward transitioned from this life on Feb. 19. She was 105 years old. A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Zefer was the sixth of George and Zora O’Neal’s 14 children. Her joy of singing began at home at the tender age of 4 by being placed on a table and being asked to sing a song. By age 13, she was a member and directress of the youth choir at St. Paul Baptist Church. Zefer attended Merrill High School and Arkansas State College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Published

1 week ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Zefer O’Neal Ward. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

In 1945, Zefer made her home in Oakland, California, where she established deep roots. It was in 1950 that she married the late William “Bill” Ward. That same year, she joined Downs Memorial Methodist Church under the esteemed leadership of Rev. Roy C. Nichols, where her angelic voice soon became a cornerstone of the church’s 8:30 a.m. worship service.

She went on to lend her voice and talents to various choirs in the church including the gospel choir and the formulation of the children’s choir under the guidance of the late Rev. Amos Cambric Jr.

Zefer’s gift of song extended far beyond the walls of her church. For decades, she brought solace and inspiration to countless souls through her performances at funerals, weddings, concerts, conventions and church programs throughout the Bay Area.

Her unparalleled artistry even graced the ears of the late Robert F. Kennedy during a performance at the University of California, Berkeley. To quote her, “I have been involved with singing all my life. Singing is a joy for me. Every time I sing, I pray that I will bring joy to someone. I know that the Lord has used me to touch and bless someone … singing is my life, my joy.”

Surviving Zefer are her two children; Norma Ward-Sledge, CEO and co-founder of Progressive Transitions, Inc. a program in Oakland that has become a beacon of hope for women and families affected by domestic violence and human trafficking; and William Wilson, of Raleigh, North Carolina, a retired business owner. She also leaves behind her sister Minnie O’Neal of Dupont, Washington, two grandsons both of Raleigh, North Carolina and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions be made to Progressive Transitions, Inc., an organization that Zefer passionately supported.

There will be a “Memorial Tribute to Zefer” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at Downs Memorial United Methodist Church, 6026 Idaho St. in Oakland.

A follow-up event, “Celebrating the Legacy of Lady Z,” will be held on June 22 at Z Café, 2735 Broadway Oakland at 2 p.m.

Please RSVP for this event via text or call (510) 917-0666.

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Activism

Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.

Published

1 week ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Cecil Williams, civil rights activist and social justice leader was the head pastor of San Francisco’s non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church.

By California Black Media

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.

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Community

Rest in Peace: A.M.E. Pastor and L.A Civil Rights Icon Cecil “Chip” Murray Passes

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles, died of natural causes April 6 at his Windsor Hills Home. He was 94. “Today, we lost a giant. Reverend Dr. Cecil Murray dedicated his life to service, community, and putting God first in all things. I had the absolute honor of working with him, worshiping with him, and seeking his counsel,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of the dynamic religious leader whose ministry inspired and attracted millionaires as well as former gang bangers and people dealing with substance use disorder (SUD).

Published

3 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture.

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles, died of natural causes April 6 at his Windsor Hills Home. He was 94.

“Today, we lost a giant. Reverend Dr. Cecil Murray dedicated his life to service, community, and putting God first in all things. I had the absolute honor of working with him, worshiping with him, and seeking his counsel,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of the dynamic religious leader whose ministry inspired and attracted millionaires as well as former gang bangers and people dealing with substance use disorder (SUD).

Murray oversaw the growth of FAME’s congregation from 250 members to 18,000.

“My heart is with the First AME congregation and community today as we reflect on a legacy that changed this city forever,” Bass continued.

Murray served as Senior Minister at FAME, the oldest Black congregation in the city, for 27 years. During that time, various dignitaries visited and he built strong relationships with political and civic leaders in the city and across the state, as well as a number of Hollywood figures. Several national political leaders also visited with Murray and his congregation at FAME, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Murray, a Florida native and U.S. Air Force vet, attended Florida A&M University, where he majored in history, worked on the school newspaper and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He later attended Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles County, where he earned his doctorate in Divinity.

Murray is survived by his son Drew. His wife Bernadine, who was a committed member of the A.M.E. church and the daughter of his childhood pastor, died in 2013.