Obituary

Dorean’s Dash through Life

Our earthly Angel, Dorean Edwards was born on January 22, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. She lived in Tupelo, Mississippi, St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she studied Journalism and Business Administration at Chicago’s Central YMCA Community College. Dorean graduated with a Degree in Journalism from Olive Harvey College before moving to California to pursue her dream of working in journalism. Our beloved Dorean transitioned into the hands of the Lord on March 1, 2023.

Dorean loved her Father, Johnny Lee Edwards, Mother, Bernadean Edwards Clemons, her siblings and extended family. But, her love of God and her faith in God’s love for her molded her more than anything or anyone.

Dorean was drawn to gospel music and her greatest joy was attending gospel concerts with her Father seeing great artists like The Soul Stirrers, Shirley Caesar, Mighty Clouds of Joy and Mississippi Mass Choir. Her Father actually sang with The 5 Tones of Harmony, the Soul Stirrers and many others. It was only natural God would place Dorean in a position to sing in a gospel quartet, The Gospelettes and later The Tones of Joy, where she learned the business of music and her love of quartets.

Relocating to California her dream took wings when she moved from San Diego to Los Angeles and landed her first industry job with Sherry Anderson at Word of Life Records with celebrity appearances and signings and through which she met Frank Badami and the opportunity to immerse herself in concert promotions for Mr. Badami and other promoters.

Her treasured mentorship with Barbara Wilson of Central City Productions, and the Producer of the Stellar Awards, where Dorean was appointed Chairperson of Stellar Awards Ballots. Barbara Wilson taught her to sharpen her skill set as a celebrity Talent Coordinator. She used her Journalism degree as a part-time freelance writer for Gospel USA Magazine interviewing artists like Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Winans and Yolanda Adams, just to name a few. Her work ethic and far-reaching connections landed her an Assistant position with Stevie Wonder working on projects and fundraisers for years; and as Bishop Noel Jones’ Talent Coordinator for the City of Refuge. Dorean served as a speaker on many high profile panels such as Gospel Music Workshop of America and the Gospel Announcer’s Guild.

Dorean’s legacy continued as Founder and CEO of Consultant Entertainment, her Los Angeles-based production firm specializing in promotions and marketing music concerts, celebrity bookings, youth events and education workshops. Her long time friend, Minister Lamont Bradley served as her Personal Assistant for many years assisting with all aspects of her extremely successful business and personal life. The last clients blessed with her expertise were Gerald Alston, The Williams Brothers and the anointed Bonita McAfee Mitchell.

Promoters, Celebrities and other industry professionals all knew the name Dorean Edwards. They would return her phone calls and she would not take “no” for an answer when she thought she could help someone. Dorean never asked for anything for herself, but selflessly negotiated deals, introduced and encouraged new talent and launched many celebrity entertainers into the gospel industry. It has been said “Before social media there was Dorean Edwards”.

Dorean’s ultimate love of children manifested at Greater Bethany Community Church under the leadership of Bishop Robert W. McMurray, into her crown jewel, the wildly successful event, Stop the Violence, Think Education, Put God First Conference & Concert creating a full day forum where inner-city youth of our communities regardless of race, color, religion or economic status would be motivated to go back to school with a spirit of excellence through workshops, seminars, testimonies and entertainment. Her love for children and youth fueled her desire to help them prepare for the new school year and became her yearly Back-2-School Events providing school supplies and scholarship funds for over 25 years. She believed in exposing young people to building blocks that would lead them to improved self-images and a desire for a successful future. Every year brought exciting new highlights, including Greater Bethany’s opening the City of Refuge, under the leadership of Bishop Noel Jones where Back-2-School Events were hosted by many celebrities including Tia, Tamera & Tahj Mowery, Flex Alexander, Shanice Wilson, Chico Benymon, Kel Mitchell, Nick Cannon, Chris Tucker, Larenz Tate, Hill Harper, Meagan Good, Trey Smith, Carlon Jeffrey and Tichina Arnold.

Dorean would beam with love like a proud “Mama”, those beautiful freckles dancing on her face, saying: “This year we gave away free lunches for over 5,000 youth, over 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies including free laptops, tennis shoes and even bicycles donated by sponsors. A few topics we discussed were teen pregnancy, drug use, and how to carry oneself as an example to others in their circle.” She would go on stating: “We also introduced them to banking and youth entrepreneurial panels where young CEOs learned about business. The partnerships we formed in conjunction with this event range from all across the business spectrum from banking to Fortune 500 companies.”

Dorean sought to motivate not only youth, but also communities-at- large. She wanted to further the program at West Angeles, but her health challenges prevented the program being launched there.

Dorean also created and produced Jazz in the Spirit concerts which featured jazz artists from all over the globe including Kirk Whalum, George Howard, Doc Powell, Jonathan Butler and Mark Allen-Felton, along with so many others. She even included rappers and comedians who loved the Lord in these conferences so the youth got exposed to genres they did not know along with the ones they were familiar with.

Dorean authored her first book, entitled “Trapped in a little girl's body”, a powerful true story about the tragedies of her life and sharing how with her faith in God she triumphed through healing and forgiveness. She actually spoke of writing a second book about health and physical healing as she had faced many health challenges.

Dorean Edwards love of God, trust in His anointing on her life and her knowledge of and respect in the gospel industry enabled her to build a legacy and blueprint of great impact on youth, laypersons and celebrities in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California and worldwide. Dorean’s wealth was in relationships and God provided for her needs.

Rest assured, as Sam Jackson said, “Our Sister squeezed every drop of life out of her 70 years!”

She inspired us all with her inspirational post starting with “Thank God I’m Alive!

We, her beloved family and extended God-family of Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, God-Children, Great-God Children, all desire to continue her legacy. That being said, we are launching The Annual Dorean Edwards Scholarship Fund to continue to impact the youth she so dearly loved.