Rev. James Cleveland founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (GMWA) in 1967, in Detroit Michigan.   Rev. Cleveland called together friends from across the United States in an effort to share his vision of establishing a venue for gospel music to be presented. These individuals were chosen due to their contributions in gospel music. This association formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America,  with a national motto “Where Everybody is Somebody” was born.

The Gospel Music Workshop of America is a Christian organization convening annually with intergenerational global performances. which include choirs, recording artists, composers, educators, dancers, and pastors.  GMWA continues to welcome all ethnicities, influences and cultures.

 Since the untimely passing of its founder, Rev. James Cleveland, in 1991, the organization has continued to thrive as one of the world’s treasured music institutions.  Presently, it is the largest artistic organization of its kind in the world stretching from the United States to Asia. The Gospel Music Workshop of America has been the launching platform for worldwide gospel artists.