Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
60 Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com BY PATRICE A. KELLY BOOK MARKS On a cool April evening, Angela Alexander, a United States Air Force Reserve cargo specialist, is unexpectedly summoned to her captain's office shortly after arriving in Japan for her assignment. She starts to wonder what she could have possibly done wrong. But when she opens the door and sees the priest, she knows it is far worse. As the priest begins to speak in a faltering voice, both time and Angela's trem- bling heart seem to stop. Miracles in Action is a compelling story of triumph in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Miracles in Action will reveal how you can recognize the miracles in action in your lives and turn pain into power and grief into peace. "Angela Alexander shares a personal story of loss and redemption. Anybody who has ever gone through a tough time will be able to relate and take powerful lessons and insights from these pages. This is a must read for anyone look- ing to make it beyond the pain of loss and heartache." Les Brown, award-winning speaker and best-selling author of Live Your Dreams and t's Not Over Until You Win. WORDS & DEEDS University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) University Professor Henry Panion, Ph.D., was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus September 25 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Panion received the Civic and Cultural Advancement Award during the celebration "An Evening of Excellence," presented by Essence magazine and Southern Company. Other honorees were Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Robert Franklin, J.D., president of Morehouse College. Panion received recognition for this honor from the Birmingham City Council Tuesday, Sept. 8, through a procla- mation and an appointment to the post of Cultural Ambassador for the City of Birmingham. Panion is known for his work as a conductor and arranger for superstar Stevie Wonder, for whose performances and recordings he has led many of the world's most notable orchestras. The creative force behind Gospel Goes Classical in 2006, Panion made history by topping the Billboard gospel and classical crossover charts simultaneously. As a producer, composer, arranger and orchestrator, Panion has earned two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards and a host of other national music awards and nominations. He was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Alabama A & M University Hall of Fame in 2000. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees honored Panion for his many contributions to the field of music in 2000 and bestowed upon him the distinguished appointment of University Professor. On September 8-13, Pastor AJ Wright and Shiloh Family Worship Center hosted the Manifest Convocation, four days of instruction and a star-studded Gospel concert, An Evening Under the Stars. This event featured Grammy Award winner Yolanda Adams, BET's Sunday's Best winner Crystal Aiken, recording artists Jimmie Hicks and Jason Champion, and many more. The concert was held at the Kravis Center in downtown West Palm Beach, and was one of the first gospel concerts held in the Gosman Amphitheatre. The New York Call returned to Long Island's Eisenhower Park on August 22. The annual outdoor gathering of people from across the tri-state area, included a full day of inspira- tion, music, ministry and fun. The New York Call was con- ceived in 2004 by gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, the senior pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, N.Y., to bring together churches and ministries in the tri-state area for the purpose of promoting unity and cohesion within the Christian community. One of the highlights was a gospel concert featuring the newly-formed New York Call Multicultural Choir, comprised of an ethnically diverse body of Christians from different churches across the tri-state area. In addition, several nation- al recording artists appeared, including Melinda Watts, season three winner of Gospel Music Channel's Gospel Dream, and Sheri Jones-Moffett, a featured vocalist with the Tri-City Singers and one-half of the celebrated duo Ted & Sheri. CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 30-October 3, 2009, "Empower to Prosper - 2009 Business Development Conference," Impacting Your World Community Development Corporation, IYWCC Foundations, Cherry Hill New Jersey and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Contact Pastor Ray Bernard at (877) 446-7228 for information. October 1-3, 2009, "2009 Northeast Regional Great Commission Conference – Entering the ACTS Dimension," Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc, Bethel Gospel Assembly Church, New York, New York. Contact Rev. Joan Williams at (800) 297-1197 for information. October 2-4, 2009, "7th Annual Brooklyn Tabernacle Music Conference," Brooklyn Tabernacle, Brooklyn