Title
To honor and recognize Raise Productions for its 40th Anniversary celebrating ministry, music, education, and community impact
Body
WHEREAS, Raise Productions was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1986 by Dr. Raymond Wise alongside founding leaders Frank Lane and Shuryl Sutherland-Thompson with a visionary mission to preserve, teach, elevate, and advance the traditions of African American gospel music and gospel arts through education, performance, production, support, and ministry; and
WHEREAS, for four decades, Raise Productions has served as a transformative ministry and cultural institution, using gospel music and the arts to nurture spiritual growth, artistic excellence, leadership development, and educational opportunity for individuals and communities locally, nationally, and internationally; and
WHEREAS, through its groundbreaking educational programs and the Raise Center for the Gospel Arts, Raise Productions has provided comprehensive training in music, theater, dance, worship leadership, creative expression, and ministerial development, impacting generations of children, youth, adults, educators, and church leaders while influencing gospel arts education around the world; and
WHEREAS, Raise Productions has demonstrated excellence in performance and cultural preservation through acclaimed choirs, theatrical productions, recordings, publications, and collaborations with renowned artistic institutions, sharing the rich heritage of gospel music across the United States and internationally; and
WHEREAS, Raise Productions has strengthened churches and communities through mentorship, leadership development, musician support services, arts programming, and ministry partnerships, empowering countless individuals who now serve as pastors, educators, musicians, worship leaders, scholars, and community leaders; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS hereby honors and recognizes Raise Productions for 40 years of ministry, music, education, and community impact, and extends sincere appreciation for its outstanding contributions to the City of Columbus and communities throughout the world.