At the age of 16, Donna Savage left home and got married with the hopes of a better life. She did not imagine that her new husband would become her abuser for nearly twenty years. At the near end of her divorce, she was urged by her lawyer to write about her experiences in what became her first book titledThe Blood and Tears of Domestic Violence: A Survivor’s Revelation. Writing her debut book proved to be a struggle as she unraveled flooded memories of years of violence. It was until a tragedy that occured in the life of a friend that jolted Donna to move past the pain and forced her memoir’s completion.

Donna is also the founder of The Domestic Violence and AIDS Mission of New Jersey, a faith based organization serving those affected by domestic violence and AIDS. It’s also the home of the first abusers helpline called the National 24 Hour Abuser Hotline.

Tune in Tuesday, April 19th at 9 PM Eastern, 6pm Pacific to www.party934.com, 94.9 FM Hudson Valley, NY to hear Donna Savage, author and founder of The Domestic Violence and AIDS Mission of New Jersey for this enlightening program about abuse and healing.

Visit Donna’s websites at www.donnasavagepublishing.com and www.dvamnj.org.

Gerard M. Williams, Gospel Vocalist

Gerard M. Williams is a multi-talented gospel vocalist and guitarist. He has a strong, mature voice that truly compliments the message he spreads of love and hope in his spirited gospel tracks. What you hear on his album is what you get in live performances, a truly passionate and gifted artist. His sound will not let you down; his poetic lines are inspiring and uplifting. He is destined be one of the next great gospel performers, ‘I don’t want to wait on someone else to do it for me…I have a purpose to get my music out and the faith that it will happen….Music is my ministry, and to spread it is what I am commissioned to do.”

www.gerardmwilliams.com

Bio

Gerard M Williams has established a strong local following in the Triangle region of North Carolina, and his following is expanding rapidly across the country via access to the internet…

Singing since the age of 4 Gerard knew that his roots would be in gospel music, the music of TRUTH. Growing up in the city of Durham, North Carolina, home of two of the biggest names in gospel music, Shirley Caesar and John P. Kee; Gerard knew he had big footsteps to follow. Likewise, he knew he had wonderful examples to pattern himself after in all aspects of the gospel music industry from song selection to performance, from writing to publishing, from studying to living the life he sings about. Now he is ready to share all that he has learned with the masses. …

Lastly as a member of his high schools honor chorus, Spartan Song, Gerard was afforded the opportunity to sing for the US Secretary of State on national television. Following high school, Gerard was accepted into the coveted Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After enrolling at Berklee he became a part of an auditioned Gospel group called “Overjoyed.” With Overjoyed, he traveled to and performed in Switzerland. One of his highest achievements while at Berklee was being a part of the biggest vocal show that Berklee has to offer in which he was selected 1 of 8 performers in a show that well over 100 vocalists had auditioned for.

In addition to all of his scholastic musical endeavors, Gerard always remained close to his gospel roots in his home church and choir. As a result had the opportunity to tour with his church choir throughout England including, London and Durham. These events and his season of preparation eventually lead to Williams having the opportunity to sing background with such gospel greats as Tremaine Hawkins, and Dennis Montgomery. Gerard has had the opportunity to minister to literally thousands as a member of the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries Conference choir as well as being showcased in the nightly services more recently he has been showcased at the singers and musicians conference hosted by Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole of the Legendary Clark Sisters. He has had also had the opportunity to be showcased at the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Working on his debut release consisting of Gospel, Inspirational and Soul tracks, Gerard hopes he will capture a new audience that will have the opportunity to experience the soul stirring voice that many of his other loyal listeners have become accustomed with. Writing songs since the age of 12 Gerard has been focused on writing conscious music that listeners will be able to embrace. Songs like “So Glad” ,Hurting People and “Walk Out Of The Rain” evoke feelings of hope and determination and the calming worship rendition of “Blessed Be the Lord” show many sides of diversity in Gerard’s music, which speaks of Hope, eternal salvation, and Love  With his eyes poised on a lasting recording career, the formal training to go forth, complete submission to the will of GOD and the drive and goal to succeed, Gerard M Williams is sure to become a name that will be synonymous with gospel music for years to come. You can read Gerard’s full bio by visiting his www.gerardmwilliams.com.

You can listen to previous broadcasts of Courage Empowerment Forum by, visiting www.courageempowermentforum.com

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