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OSCAR® NOMINATED ACTRESS VIOLA DAVIS, GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER SMOKIE NORFUL AND GOSPEL ARTIST JASON NELSON

JOIN THE CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL 2013 LINE-UP

Third Annual Faith-Based Prayer Breakfast Sets the Tone on Friday, March 15, 2013

Hosted by Fonzworth Bentley

 

WHAT:        BET Networks will host its third Annual Faith-Based Prayer Breakfast Friday, March 15, 2013 to kick off this year’s “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL.” This special breakfast was created to unite various religions, cultures and denominations together the day before the taping of the show. Participants include Grammy® winning gospel artistDorinda Clark Cole, RCA gospel recording artist Deon Kipping, comedian Nikita B., Columbia Tristar Pictures executive and author DeVon Franklin, and is hosted by entertainment personality Fonzworth Bentley.

                        The televised praise party “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL” tapes Saturday, March 16, 2013 and is hosted by popular actor, author and comedian Steve Harvey.  The two-hour special pays tribute to the rich history of gospel music in a unique format that combines today’s leading gospel and secular artists.

WHO:          Friday’s Prayer Breakfast Participants

·        Fonzworth Bentley  – Host

Named by GQ magazine as the First Gentleman of Hip Hop, Fonzworth Bentley, born Derek Watkins, is an artist and pop culture style icon. This artist, author, actor, producer and entrepreneur, will continue to shape the world with his mission to educate and entertain others through Kingdom inspired projects in film, television and stage.

·        Dorinda Clark Cole – Prayer

Dorinda Clark Cole is a three-time Grammy® award winner, as well as a Stellar Award and Lady of Soul Train Award winner. Not only does she have a show on the TCT Network, “The Dorinda Show,” but she also hosts a syndicated radio show “Serving up Soul,” a music and lifestyle gospel radio show. She is also the founder of the Annual Singers and Musicians Conference and member of the world renowned gospel group The Clark Sisters.

·        Deon Kipping – Musical performance

Deon Kipping is RCA Record’s platinum selling recording artist whose works to date include the smash single “Incredible God,” and the platinum Marvin Sapp smash “Praise Him In Advance.”

·        Nikita B – Comedy performance

Nikita has opened for the comedian greats such as Rodney Perry, Broderick Rice, Chris Thomas, Nick Lewis, DS Sanders, Tone X, Chris “Funny Man” Robinson, Queen Aisha and Vanessa Fraction to name a few.

·        DeVon Franklin – Words of exhortation, prayer and the benediction

DeVon Franklin is not only the highest-ranking studio executive of color but one of the youngest overall. He is Senior Vice President of Columbia Tristar Pictures & Author of the bestselling book, “Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success Without Losing Your True Self.”

Added to the star-studded list of “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL” show performers on Saturday are Oscar® nominated actress Viola Davis and gospel artists Smokie Norful and Jason Nelson.  In addition to the newly added talent, the house will be filled with joyful praise and stunning performances by Pastor Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Dorinda Clark Cole, Karen Clark Sheard and her daughter Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Tamar Braxton, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Isaac Carree, Canton Jones, Da T.R.U.T.H., Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Choir,“SUNDAY BEST” finalist Jessica Reedy and “SUNDAY BEST” winners Joshua Rogers and Le’Andria Johnson,Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers, Rance Allen, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbettand Dr. Bobby Jones.