LAUDERHILL – The Gospel Complex for Education & Preservation will bring together the rich history of Gospel Music in the heart of Lauderhill, one of the largest Caribbean American communities in South Florida. In late May, a diverse community came out to take part in the ground blessing. Albert Tucker, Vice President – Multicultural Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau is the project coordinator for the Gospel Complex.
South Florida Caribbean news recently had an opportunity to talk person-to-person with Mr. Tucker.
SFCN: How will the Complex bring together the rich history of Gospel Music?
Albert Tucker [AT]: Gospel music has a rich history and currently there is no central place to house and display recordings and memorabilia of the industry. The Gospel Complex will serve as the central location.
SFCN: Most people probably don’t associate South Florida with Gospel Music. Why Lauderhill?
AT: With the City of Lauderhill being one of the most forward thinking municipalities, Lauderhill is a perfect location to blend gospel with the flavors of the Caribbean. With the various new developments that are taking place in Lauderhill the Gospel Complex makes this the Cultural Capital of the region, state and nation.
SFCN: We heard that the Complex will have education programs. What can you share with us?
AT: The Gospel Complex is working with Broward County Public Schools, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Memorial University and Broward Community College to develop a program called “Pathways to Educational Success”. This program will address the needs of reaching our diverse community and expose and prepare our young folks for careers in the arts and entertainment fields.
SFCN: What will be the economic impact of the Complex?
AT: We anticipate the Complex will generate more than $5 million each year from conferences and ticket sales and that the related community impact will exceed $25 million annually.
SFCN: What can the community do to support the Gospel Complex?
AT: The community can embrace and support the project in many ways. One is to visit the website www.gospelcomlpex.org and ensure they are knowledgeable of the project. They can also contact their local county commission and call/write to ask them to push for this project to be built. Additionally, if a group of individuals would want to become ambassadors for the project they can host a meeting where I can come and explain the project to them. And last, they can go on line and make a tax-deductible donation to the project.
SFCN: What’s next for you?
AT: I am looking forward to bringing this project to the community and making sure that it impacts our young, old, and diverse population in many ways. I hope to become an ambassador of the project and to bring economic growth and vitality to this region thru the Gospel Complex.
Albert Tucker
GFLCVB Project Liaison
Vice President – Multicultural Business Development, GFLCVB
To find out more information about the Gospel Complex visit their website at www.gospelcomplex.org or contact Albert Tucker at 954-767-2456.
