Gospel singer Carlene Davis is set to receive an award for her contribution and commitment to the performing arts on October 19 at the 36th annual Sunshine Awards in Newark, New Jersey.

Even with a career spanning decades, the singer is humbled to be receiving this international recognition.

“First, I would like to say how grateful I am to our heavenly Father for sustaining me. The Sunshine Awards has been going for over 30 years — that is a long time. It has gained the respect of the Caribbean and the world’s conscious, dignified, and talented people. My career has not slowed down over and beyond those 30 years of the Sunshine Awards, so I am inspired to keep fighting [and] pressing through my music for a better deal for humanity, which will come by with the more people who come to know Christ through the music we make and the service we give through our God-given talent,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The Sunshine Awards programme was founded 36 years ago to recognise the excellence and accomplishments in the performing arts, education, science, humanity, and sports of various Caribbean countries. It has now expanded to the United States, Africa, South and Central America, Europe and Asia.

According to the release of the Sunshine Awards organisers, Davis’s artistic contribution of over 50-plus years included her songs against apartheid in South Africa, such as
Winnie Mandela, Welcome Home Mr Mandela, Rise Up, Thank You Mr Mandela, alongside several albums under her belt and other singles such as Going Down To Paradise, It Must Be Love, Like Old Friends Do, With You, Stealing Love, and
Santa Clause Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto.

Following the awards show, she travels to Virginia where she will do a televised show for
CBN TV depicting her story and contribution to spiritual Christmas music.

Carlene and her husband Tommy Cowan are the conceptualisers of Fun In The Son Gospel Festival in which she appeared celebrating 65 years of The Best Dressed Chicken in Kingston on April 20, and she will be part of the upcoming gospel event ‘Journey: The Best Of Junior Tucker’ on September 28 at Swallowfield Chapel.

Davis is encouraging emerging gospel singers to nurture every aspect of their career if they hope to achieve longevity.

“Approach your career with excellence. Rehearse, practise, understand the business of music, give it your best effort; it’s not all about you. And, most importantly, it’s [about] walking daily with intimacy in Christ. It is service to the King of Kings and His kingdom, after which all things will be added to you,” she said.

The singer has received many other accolades over the years, including the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica, earning her PhD in pastoral counselling in 2007, and having the mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, proclaim August 11 as ‘Carlene Davis Day’.

What’s more, she is looking to release her latest album in December.