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Guest Speaker: Toni Malone
Toni Malone is the epitome of a diva from her successes as a songwriter in the 1980s to an international acclaimed singer, author and performer today and has always exuded strength, courage, grace and enormous talent.
While Toni brings a delightfully powerful voice to fans in song, she also is the writer of the over one hundred fifty plus songs. Toni has performed on stage with artist such as, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estevan, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, The Whispers, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and many others. Toni delights her audience with a dazzling stage presence and has traveled to almost every country in the world.
Toni has also gained recognition through various theater, television, movie productions such as “The Apollo Theater,” “The Gospel Truth,” “FAME,” H.B. Barnum Life Choir and Orchestra, “The African American,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “Harlem Gospel Choir,” Dream Girls,” “Stella Awards,” and “The Buddy Holly Story”, “Menopause the Musical”, “HATS” in Las Vegas,” Queenie” at Disneyland in Anaheim CA, “The Image Awards”, and much more.
In addition to singing Toni has written, produced and performed several one Woman Productions such as It’s All About Love, Root of the Soul, Tribute to the Ladies of Soul, which has been performed to sold out audiences in northern and southern California and on the Radisson Seven Seas Cruise.
Today in worship, she shares a portion of her series “Voices of The Past,” which embodies redemptions of notable African-American women in history. Toni is also a vocal trainer, acting and stage development coach that has helped change the lives of young people all over Southern California. Toni says, “If her God given musical and singing ability can make others happy, she is filled with a joy unmatched by material things.
Psalm 136:6-8 (Common English Bible)
6 Even though the Lord is high, he can still see the lowly,
but God keeps his distance from the arrogant.
7 Whenever I am in deep trouble, you make me live again;
you send your power against my enemies’ wrath;
you save me with your strong hand.
8 The Lord will do all this for my sake.
Your faithful love lasts forever, Lord!
Don’t let go of what your hands have made.
Summary:
Throughout February and Black History Month, our theme, Power to the People, will explore how the power of God’s love moves us from bondage to freedom.
The voices from Black History remind us of the power of God’s faithfulness. When we are low, God lifts us up. When we are in trouble, God gives us life. When the world does not love us, God’s love sustains us!
Reflection Questions:
- Who from Black History inspires you?
- How did God sustain them through difficult times?
- What is your prayer to God to sustain you?