Gospel Music legend Yolanda Adams is a world-renowned singer, record producer, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the proud mother of daughter, Taylor Ayanna Crawford.
A graduate of Texas Southern University, she earned her degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting. Adams began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston. She began singing at the age of sixteen as a lead vocalist with the Houston’s Southeast Inspirational Choir, affiliated with Outreach Missionary Baptist Church. In 1986, she was featured on the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar Choir release, Give Us Peace with a performance titled “My Trust Lies in You.” Thomas Whitfield discovered her during one of Adams’ spectacular performances, and later signed her with Sounds of Gospel in which yielded her first album, Just As I Am in 1987. In 1990, she signed with producer/keyboardist Ben Tankard, and signed to his independent label, Tribute Records and released Through the Storm in 1991.
The exceptionally educated and talented Adams has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music and has one of the most powerful voices in any genre of music. She has released fifteen glorious albums, which also include Save the World (1993), More Than a Melody (1995), Yolanda: Live in Washington (1996), Songs from the Heart (1998), Mountain High…Valley Low (1999), The Best of Yolanda Adams (1999), Christmas with Yolanda Adams (2000), Believe (2001), The Experience (2002), Day By Day (2005), The Essential Yolanda (2006), What a Wonderful Time (2007), and Becoming (2011). She has earned numerous accolades for her shining efforts, including the first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Artist, four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards, sixteen Stellar Gospel Music Awards, seven NAACP Image Awards, three Soul Train Music Awards, and five BET Awards.
In 2007, Adams embarked on a radio career with “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show.” Adams was also the first female nationally syndicated radio host with Radio One/Reach Media covering more than fifty markets for ten years.
Faith, Love, Forgiveness, Protection and PRAISE: These are just five of the ten gifts explored in Yolanda Adams’ power-filled inaugural book, Points of Power. The book was inspired by the Points of Power segment she had on her previous radio show. Adams reveals her own personal experiences to show how the Bible will enlighten readers and provide them with insight and understanding to respond positively to life’s challenges.
Her own charity, Voice of an Angel Foundation, Incorporated was founded in 2005, with the mission of establishing mentoring programs for underprivileged youth. Through her non-profit, she sponsored Houston students to go to college, affording them tuition for both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Ms. Adams stars as Denita Jordan in the television series, “Kingdom Business”, airing on BET. Her new music project “Sunny Days” released in September 2024 and her new product line of watches, Lady Banneker, is now available online.
