About Shirley Caesar
When it comes to facts about Shirley Ceaser the list is endless in the gospel icon’s life. While the internet has gone insane for the #unameit challenge, there are probably other things you don’t know about the gospel great behind the song with the now super famous lyrics for “Hold My Mule”
She’s one of 13 children
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Eleven-time Grammy-winning gospel singer Shirley Caesar received the 2,583rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 29, 2016 in connection with her 50th anniversary as a solo artist.
Durham City Council
In 1988 Ms. Caesar served as a member of the Durham City Council. She left after her four-year term to serve as a pastor with her husband at Mount Cavalry Word of Faith. Her focuses while on the council were housing and care for the poor and elderly.
Honorary Degrees
She has a degree in Business Management from Shaw University. She studied for her Masters of Divinity from Duke University and has honorary doctorates from Shaw University and Southeastern University and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
She has 11 Grammy’s
… and 15 (one source said 18) Dove Awards and holds the record for Grammy nominations for a Gospel Artist at 17 nominations.
She has recorded over 40 albums.
About Shirley Ceasar … Singing for the Presidents
She has sung for every US President since President Carter.
Some things YOU have to do yourself …
She took fate into her own hands, and wrote her own request to sing with the Caravans, writing, “please call on Shirley Caesar to sing a solo” which ultimately lead to her being asked to join the group.
About Shirley Ceasar … Singing is her Life
She was enrolled in her first year at North Carolina College (now N.C. Central University) and sold her biology book for bus fair to DC, where met up with the Caravan’s and began traveling with them.
Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries
Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries in Durham, NC in 1969 mission statement was, “to provide food, clothing, lter and emergency funds to the underprivileged and needy.” Her ministry became a certified non-profit in 1981. The organization is funded completely by Ms. Caesar, as designated 50% of her earnings on the road to this ministry, as well as an annual fundraising conference.
About Shirley Ceasar … Her wedding
Her wedding to Harold Ivory Williams was attended by 2,500 fans, friends, and family. The reception was for 1,500 with an 8-foot long cake, and there were 140 people in the wedding party, not including the 3 ministers who officiated the wedding. It took nearly an hour to march to the stage in Durham’s Civic Center.
Typing Test
Ms. Caesar was always drawn to carrying out God’s work and received her calling during a typing test at her time at North Carolina College. She heard her name called, and when realized that it had not been any of classmates, returned home and heard the voice again, this time directing her to preach in His name.
