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yolanda adams –
voice of reason
Vocalist, Radio Host
Yolanda
Adams is new-millennium gospel music’s most recognized ambassador. As
beautiful as she is talented, the charismatic performer with the
larger-than-life voice has long been one of the genre’s most recognized
and acclaimed artists. Although many artists would have been content to
revel in platinum sales and unadulterated adoration, Adams sought new
challenges. She began hosting “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show” on KROI
in Houston, and many fans were shocked to learn that “The Whitney
Houston of Gospel” had been preparing for the gig longer than anyone
knew.
“[Fans are] like ‘Wow, you’re
on the radio,’ then the second response is, ‘How’d you get interested
in it?’ ” she says, chuckling. “It’s something [I] went to school for
specifically.”
Adams understands the importance of being able to function in a variety
of disciplines. She’s an accomplished singer, radio personality,
entrepreneur and mother. Adams makes clear that one should always have
an understanding of a field and its demands before diving in
head-first. “Study as much as you can, know as much as you can about
the field that you’re getting into,” she advises. “Everything worth
getting into is hard. In order for you to be better than the next
person, you need to understand your craft.”
Adams talks about her fans like they are family — and it’s easy to see
why. A native Houstonian, Adams’ love for people was instilled in her
from an early age, watching the charitable nature of her family
firsthand. “I came from a large family and we are still very active in
our community. We’ve always been a family that loved people [and we]
demonstrated that by helping people of all walks of life,” Adams
recalls. “My mom would allow some of the students from the [University
of Houston] to live in our home until they got their financial aid —
and some of them lived in our home for at least two semesters. I saw my
mom give back as a kid and for me, when you see that kind of example,
it’s easy to do the same thing when you become older.”
Named one of Houston’s 25 Most Influential Women by ro, Adams is
honored and doesn’t take the praise lightly. “[This] means that what
I’m doing is counting for something and the people that are voting
evidently think that my work in the community with my businesses and
with gospel music is great,” she says. “That’s an awesome privilege and
honor.”
Adams adds that there are numerous individuals working every day to be
positive role models in the community who don’t get their due. “There
are a lot of [people] out there doing great things for the community
who never get the chance to be honored,” she believes. “We really need
to honor all people doing great jobs in the community. Sometimes just
the awareness of knowing that somebody is out there doing something
different could spark someone’s interest and [they’ll say], ‘I should
feed the homeless,’ or ‘I should start a clothing drive.’ Goodness
sparks goodness.” –todd williams
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