Motivational Speaker

Intelligent, inspiring and passionate are three words that best describe Rita Hall.  A sought after motivational speaker, consultant and entrepreneur Ms. Hall lives with the purpose of challenging people “to be all they can be and walk in their God-given purpose“.

She is the author of “Ebony Bitter Sweet – A Chocolate Girl in a Vanilla World and the “How Not To Be Victim of Crime”.  She combines common sense, humor and intelligence to relate messages that are soul stirring and life changing.  

Ms. Hall is a veteran and distinguish member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (retired). This “2005 Woman of the Year” (Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women) shares her knowledge on how women and teens can remain safe whether on the street or on a date.

“There are 10 simple steps any woman can take to keep from being a victim of crime or domestic violence.” states Ms. Hall, “They don’t cost money or time; just thinking smarter.”

During her tenure at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Rita Hall developed and conducted seminars in self-esteem, stress management and racial profiling. A member of the National Black Police Association, Rita consults with community leaders providing instruction on How To Avoid And Resolve Conflicts (between many groups which interface with the police departments).

Holy Helping Hands founded by Rita Hall and Vicki Stuckey; assists foster care youth, women and U.S. Veterans.

Through combining her gifts, talents, and anointing Rita Hall is walking out the life tenants she teaches… “to be all they can be and walk in their God-given purpose“.

Her God given gift of caring helps those she is dedicated to and now you can help. Independent voices is asking you to help Holy Helping Hands (HHH) to achieve their goals…

Philanthropist and Entrepreneur

The winter of 1997/98 was the worst El-Nino (also know as ENSO is associated with floods, droughts and other weather disturbances in many regions of the world) in over 20 years and the homeless were getting drenched with all the rain and wind. The cardboard houses they were using was just not enough to keep them safe in the harsh weather and this touched Ms. Hall’s heart and the hearts of many others as well.

Ms. Rita Hall, a retired law enforcement officer for the City of Los Angeles, California, is the founder of the organization “Holy Helping Hands”. Ms. Hall was given a vision to help at 2:00 a.m. one morning to make a difference in the lives of others that season. It was then that she contacted many of her Christian girlfriends and fellow officers, which also included a schoolteacher. As there was more to life than making arrest and passing children to the next grade and they wanted to make a difference in these people’s lives for the better. This was the birth of Holy Helping Hands in 1998.

Since their start in 1998 with the very first program to help the homeless, many other programs have been launched, such as one focused on Veteran Affairs, Adopt-a-School, Substance Abuse Outreach, Domestic Violence Outreach, US Soldier Support, Holiday Gift Giving and the Cinderella & Prince Charming Prom Project for Foster Youth.

Holy Helping Hands Foundation often collaborate with other service-minded groups/organizations; among those, Godparents Youth Organization (GYO), various Los Angeles County Foster care homes, The Virtuous Woman Sunday School class, N.C.N.W.-- Los Angeles Chapter, and W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Christian Woman's Book-club).

In 2008 Holy Helping Hands incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Ms. Hall has been given a new vision to establish H.O.P.E.'S Closet.  H.O.P.E. is the acronym for Helping Other People Excel. Some of our projects are on-going while others are quarterly or annually.

During this time of economic crisis we can clearly see that  Ms. Rita Hall’s vision for Holy Helping Hands was indeed given "for such a time as this". Please visit her website, review the programs and make a donation to Holy Helping Hands. This is truly a heartfelt need that is nation wide.

By:

Janice Frame
Contributing Writer

HolyHelpingHands.org

holyhelpinghands@aol.com

800-550-9137

 The Rev. Dr. Alvin McKinney is a Power Alto Saxophone player promoting his musical talents and sound on his debut solo CD “A Spiritual Journey.” A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. McKinney has been performing since the age of four. For over 25 years he’s performed on Alto, Tenor and Soprano saxophones professionally. Additional musical skills and talent include flute, clarinet, midi wind controller, keyboards, drums and percussion. His musical background includes such styles as Classical, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Dixieland, R & B, Soul, and Funk. He’s a song writer/composer, arranger and producer with a history of projects in production, musical director, acting and choreography. He graduated from University of Memphis with a Bachelor in Music Education (B.M.E.) and concentration in saxophone performance. He studied under the Professor of Saxophones, Mr. Allen Rippe; and won the Woodwind Concerto Competition in 1987. In the University of Michigan’s Masters Program, he studied saxophone performance under Mr. Donald Sinta and taught jazz styles as a graduate assistant under Ed Sarath for one year.

Over the years Dr. McKinney has performed as a Featured artist, Guest artist, worked as a Music Director and/or Toured or recorded with such artists as: Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas, B. B. King, Johnny Adams, Lazy Lester, Latimore, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Lou Rawls, Kirk Whalum, Ron Brown, Billy Preston (saxophone and horn arranger), Phil Upchurch, Howard & Darius McCrary, Syreeta Wright, La Rita Shelby, Stafford Floyd, Tumi Ansa, Kurl & Paul McKinney, Bobby Rodriguez, J. P. Myles (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia), DN’A (Martinique/Caribbean Islands & opening act for Darryl Coley & Vanessa Bell Armstrong), Bugsy Wilcox’s “The Message”, and Rick Joswick & Joz Swing Band. With the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir he toured annually as the featured Saxophonist throughout the US, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Andora Spain. He’s also ministered with Minister Stephen James-music director/vocalist/producer, Wayne Linsey-music director /keyboardist for Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Gerald Albright, American Idol, etc. In 1997, Dr. McKinney worked with Conrad Bullard- producer/director/ writer/promoter, as the music director for the television pilot, “Zero to Hero” and music producer on a soundtrack for the movie, “Unconditional Love.”

He recorded and toured nationally with Nashville recording artist Todd Bradley & Next Level for 5 years. He left the group in 1995, then rededicated his life back to Jesus Christ. Dr. McKinney has also ministered on events sponsored by: California Green Work’s Earth Day Festival at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza; KJFJ FM Gospel Music Internet Radio Station events; Time Warner and KJLH (Stevie Wonder’s Radio Station) Variety Stage of the 2007 Long Beach Jazz Festival; the African Market Place & Cultural Faire and the 2008 Community Day Event in Los Angeles; and Summer Christian Music Workshop-Drs. Harold & Delores Johnson. He also performs the National Anthem for the MLS Club Deportivo Chivas USA Soccer Organization in Carson, CA., the City of Inglewood, CA.-Annual Fourth of July Celebration 2008, and the 2008 Holy Convocation for the C.C.C. Dr. McKinney also volunteered and ministered with Praisefest Ministries’ “Cruise for a Cause 2008” (www.praisefestministries.com), assisting in bringing 10,250+ people into the Body of Christ in the Bahamas; and by invitation, also ministered in music with Jason Crabb and The Crabb Family and Pastor Andre Crouch.

He has also ministered in music and prophecy in the Azusa Street Festival 2009; the AGAPE International Spiritual Center, and the 2009 Long Beach Gospel Fest-Antioch Church of Long Beach, CA. 

Dr. McKinney graduated from the Global Evangelical Christian College & Seminary where he received his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Sacred Music and his Master of Divinity Degree in Religious Community and Economic Development, Wetumpka, Alabama, 2005.

He serves as the Assistant Pastor/Prophet & Minister of Music for Redeemer Church of Christ-Power of God Ministries, Bellflower, CA (www.redeemercoc.org).

Dr. McKinney’s CD was produced by TVAfrica and is promoted in Ghana. Dr. McKinney is happily married to his Pastor, Dr. Elizabeth A. McKinney.

ORGANIZATIONS:

• Assistant Pastor, Prophet of God, and Minister of Music Redeemer Church of Christ-Power of God Ministries; Bellflower, CA., (www.redeemercoc.org)
• President/CEO of Prophetic Management & Entertainment
• President/Founder of the Alvin & Elizabeth McKinney Foundation-(www.aemfdtn.org), a 501(c) 3 Non Profit Public Benefit Corporation established to promote cultural exchange through music and the arts with such: supporters as the D’Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts, The Music Group and Charle’s Music.
• Dr. McKinney holds a professional clear teaching credential with the State of California and is a Certificated Teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District (L.A.U.S.D.) where he works as the Music Director of Performing Arts at Southeast Middle School in the City of South Gate.
• Member of the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association
• Member of the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association
• Member of Musicians In Action, Inc.-Gospel Musicians in Los Angeles
• Board member, Ghana T.I.O. Inc. (Trade Information Office- http://www.ghanatio.org)
• Founder/Executive Director, Global Foundation for the Arts & Culture Exchange
• Artist for West Coast Christian Entertainment, Pastor James Owens-Founder

HONORS:

• Recipient of The Man of Excellence Award from the Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs

• Recipient of The Essential for A Healthier Life Award from the Wellness Group

• Recipient of The Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles presented in honor of talent and works representing the African-American Community, for International Family Day-August 2008.

PERFORMANCES:

• Gospel jazz rendition of the National Anthem performed at a MLS USA Chivas USA soccer game at the Home Depot Stadium in Carson, CA. (Dated: June 30, 2007)