Atlanta Daily World

'Gospel Train' Awards Made To Citizens For Service

A woman Christian leader, a choir director and a newspaper man received the 1955 Gospel Train Awards Sunday, during the Second Annual Harvest Gospel Sing at Shaw Temple AME Zion Church. The awards are given annually by the Gospel Singers Fund and The Adelphi Club. Mrs. Mabel Butts, 382 Ashby St. N. W., was given the Christian leadership Award for her outstanding work in practical Christian service. She is the Ashby Street Unity Center leader and a long-time member of Wheat Street Baptist Church. The Choir director honored was Bro. L. C. Mann. He was cited for his work with young people both at Wheat Street Baptist Church and at David T. Howard High School. It was pointed out that over the years Prof. Mann had been a "humble worker training voices, teaching and encouraging young people." George Coleman, a veteran Atlanta Daily Reporter, was cited for "Christian Service." He was given the medallion for "editing, gathering and writing without fear and the highest traditions of journalism articles on the Fred Mosely case." Telling Coleman of his "sense of fair play and concern for justice" it was also pointed out that he demonstrated distinctive public service and accomplished much good in bringing citizens to a realization of what can happen to our fellow man without an awareness of one media of communication-the newspaper and its reporters." The Metropolitan Association of the Blind Glee Club was presented a Special Certificate for fostering the high principles of Christianity through singing by the Adelphi Club. 25 CERTIFICATES Twenty five others received "The Gospel Train Certificates of Recognition. Among honored were: Margaret Ivory, Alvin Brawner, Mrs. Willie-Mae Jones, W. C. Peden, The Melotone Singers, Isadore Rachel, Alva White, Miss Susie Skinner, Mrs. Kate Lovett, Miss Van Essie Yancy, William Timothy Jackson, Jr., Mrs. Annie Lee Godson, Mrs. Winifred Giddings, C. M. Maddox, A. C. Reynolds, J. C. Pitts, Mrs. Mattie Murphy, J. H. Calhoun and Dr. E. G. Boddie, the Eight Ladies of Leisure and The Adelphi Links. The Gospel Train awards were instituted at the Thanksgiving season last year by representatives of the Atlanta Gospel Singing groups and the Adelphi. The project is the brain-child of Paul E. X. Brown former Program Director of a local radio station. Mr. Brown was also the creator of the Gospel Train radio show and other live programs originating in and outside the station's studios. The joint awards committee included Esmond Patterson, Frank Dennis, Miss Marjorie Goodrum, Mrs. Lennie B. Cameron, Paul E. X. Brown, Arthur Jerome Lampkin, Charles Foster and Sims Glenn Gordon. The officers of the Gospel Singers Fund are: Miss Marjorie Goodrum president; Esmond Patterson, vice-president, Mrs. Lennie B. Cameron, secretary and Willie Paul Moore, treasurer.