Sweet harmonies translate to sales: hundreds of vendors gather to market books, CD's and other items to a captive audience of 15,000 at the world's largest gathering of gospel music participants

Black Issues Book Review, July-August, 2003 by Elizabeth Atkins

"As many other people involved in Christian radio and other religious endeavors know," he continues, "it's taking a long time for corporate America to recognize the benefits without giving the old 'this is doctrinal' line, and telling us they can't get involved."

Going To The Workshop

What: Gospel Music Workshop Of America National Convention

When: August 9-15, 2003

Where: Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida

How Much: $75 for members, $300 for nonmembers

Who: musicians, record industry representatives, media, clergy, educators, vendors, gospel music lovers from around the globe

Contact:

GMWA, Inc

3908 West Warren

Detroit, MI 48208

Voice: (313) 898-6900

Fax: (313) 898-4520

http://www.gmwa.org

Elizabeth Atkins lives in Detroit and is working on the screenplay based on her third hardcover novel, Twilight, a love story she coauthored with actor Billy Dee Williams. Atkins attended Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and the University of Michigan. She's covered race relations at The Detroit News and worked as a newswriter at Detroit's Fox 2 News. Atkins's report on the Gospel Music Workshop of America begins on page 14.