Dr. Darius BROOKS
Chicago IL (USA)
Dr. Darius Brooks has been one of Gospel music’s greatest driving and creative forces.
He may not be recognized by his name but by his unprecedented gift. He has been behind the scenes of some of gospel’s biggest songs and stars.
For the last four decades he has thrived in almost every musical capacity imaginable from singers, songwriters and accompanist to arranger and producer for a host of Gospel luminaries that includes Pastor Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans, the late Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers, Hezekiah Walker and Ricky Dillard, jazz legend Ramsey Lewis as well as R&B icons Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to name but a few.
His creative force has an international reach that extends to Great Britain, Sweden, Scandinavia, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany and beyond.
Brooks is best known for placing such treasures in gospel music history as "Safe in His Arms", "My Mind's Made Up", "For the Good of Them", "If I Be Lifted", "I Tried Him and I Know Him", "God’s Got It", "Your Will" and many others With all these gospel standards on his discography he is not finished yet.
Brooks is the visionary responsible for reassembling The Tommies Reunion. The Tommies Reunion is comprised of former members of the famed Thompson Community Singers as well as some new young talent that treasures the experience of working with the faces and voices that sent the group to the top of the charts during the late 80's and 90's and ushered in the contemporary gospel sound which led to them being called the #1 choir in the country and placed them permanently in gospel music history.
After serving as the Minister of Music under Rev. Brunson for nearly 30 years, he did not want this rich legacy to die.
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion are currently touring the country and are scheduled to release their new project in 2026.
Grammy Stellar and Dove Awards and nominations are among the many accolades he has received and yet with a resume already to his credit that most artists songwriters and producers can only dream of his greatest calling yet became a reality in April of 2009 when he heeded the call to become Senior Pastor of Grace Central Church and has remained faithful to serving the church and community ever since.
Those who know Pastor Brooks know that even before he began to Pastor he was spreading the gospel everywhere he went His music was just a catalyst for opening the hearts of those who were seeking salvation.
He has also worked for over 30+ years as the Musical Director for Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition which has taken him around this country and around the world fighting for those who could not fight for themselves.
Pastoring has been a natural extension of the person that he is and the experiences he has had.
Pastor Brooks his wife Deborah and their daughter Dasha make their home in the Chicagoland area where he currently serves as Senior Pastor of Grace Central Church in Westchester IL CEO of JMG Entertainment LLCæ CEO of Grace Central Outreach and CEO of SDM Foundation for Education and the Arts which is a non profit foundation through which he mentors young people who desire to pursue the performing arts as a career and or a means of enhancing their lives
Dr. Derrick STARKS
New-Orleans (USA)
Detroit native Derrick Starks was born with a divine calling to minister through music, echoing the timeless melodies of the biblical minstrels of old.
At just twelve years old, his anointed gift as a worship leader skilled on both organ and piano became evident under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit.
Nurtured at Prayer Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Derrick credits his unwavering spiritual foundation to his parents, Bishop and Mrs. C. James Starks.
Early on, he drew inspiration from gospel legends such as Andraé Crouch, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Thomas A. Whitfield and The Hawkins Family.
By age thirteen, he had already composed his first song, “I can’t live without Him”.
Recognizing the importance of developing and sharing his gifts, Derrick pursued formal music studies under Professor Clark at Wayne State University.
He later served as a piano and voice instructor at the Clark Conservatory School of Music, founded by the legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.
Compelled by his passion for Christ and the Word of God, Derrick studied theology at Birmingham Bible Institute in Michigan.
In August 2000, he was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop Walter E. Bogan Sr.
Derrick firmly believes in the transformative power of God’s Word and the sacred role of music and praise in ministry.
Derrick Starks musical excellence has been sought after by many gospel industry greats including Dorinda Clark Cole, The Clark Sisters, Karen Clark Sheard, Tamela Mann, Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Yolanda Adams among others.
His gift has taken him across the globe serving as Musical Director and band member for renowned artists such as The Clark Sisters and Minister Thomas A. “Maestro” Whitfield & The Whitfield Company.
Throughout his 30+ year career in the gospel music industry Derrick has received numerous awards and accolades.
His projects have consistently charted on Billboard earning Grammy recognition, Dove and Stellar Award nominations. His hit song “Take It Back” earned him the prestigious BMI Songwriter of the Year Award.
Derrick's work with the GEI Mass Choir produced the Billboard No.1 charting project GEI Live, featuring the radio hit "Hang On".
The accompanying video has amassed over 20 million streams and was recognized by Billboard Magazine as part of the Best New Artist recognition.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Derrick served as Musical Director for the annual Trumpet Awards, honoring individuals and organizations committed to justice and equality.
Dr Derrick Starks recently earned his Doctorate of Sacred Music from Wayland Baptist Theological Seminary.
He continues to travel nationwide ministering through music and leading people to Christ.
Derrick Starks is married to his wife Gretchen celebrating 30 years of marriage in June 2026 and is the proud father of four exceptional children: Destiny, Derrick Jr, Blake, and twins Brooklyn and Blake.
Alphaeus ANDERSON
Greenville SC (USA)
Alphaeus Anderson is a two-time Stellar Award–winning educator, author, songwriter, musician, and youth development strategist. He is the founder of Music2ChangeU and the visionary behind Pure-N-Heart Arts and Technology Foundation.
A graduate of Anderson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries and a minor in Music, Anderson is also an inductee of the Anderson University Distinguished Alumni.
In 2016 he received the President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award, presented by Ambassador Lenora Peterson, in recognition of his community impact.
Anderson serves on the faculty and staff of the University of South Carolina Upstate where he teaches Gospel Piano and directs the USC Upstate Gospel Choir.
Under his leadership the choir has earned national recognition, including:
- A 2025 Stellar Award nomination
- A 2025 Avidity Award win
He was also invited in 2025 to lead a cohort of students to Fu~hou and Beijing, China, to participate in the annual China USA Youth Chorus Week.
The cultural exchange included students from colleges across South Carolina and was co sponsored by Pure N Heart Arts and Technology Foundation.
Seventeen years ago, Alphaeus and his wife launched a children's choir with just one student.
Today, Pure-N-Heart attracts more than 350 students annually during the spring and summer seasons.
What began as a small children s choir quickly expanded into a thriving youth and teen ensemble serving students across the tristate area.
The organization has received:
- Seven Stellar Award nominations
- One Dove Award nomination
- Stellar Award wins for Best Youth Project of the Year (2012 and 2019)
In 2018, Anderson partnered with Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole to establish the first Pure N Heart/SMAC South Regional Youth Mass Choir.
Alphaeus is the author of Youth Impact and the founder of NoYouthNoChurchSolutions.com, a platform providing cutting edge strategies, training modules, and leadership courses designed to help churches and organizations attract, develop, and empower youth.
He is widely recognized for his innovative techniques for youth engagement and empowerment many of which are featured across social media platforms, YouTube, and his training programs.
Each year he speaks to thousands of students in schools, churches, community centers, and revivals nationwide.
In addition to mentoring young singers, Anderson writes and produces for independent artists.
His credits include collaborations with:
- Marvin Sapp
- Ernest Pugh
- Sunday Best winner Stephanie Summers
- Shawn Bigby
His music has been featured at the National GMWA Youth and Young Adult Division Conference, the National Baptist Convention, and on both internet and terrestrial radio.
Anderson is a frequent instructor at regional and national conferences, including:
- Gospel Heritage International Worship Conference
- Schools of Methods
- Association meetings and convocations
When not traveling for training and speaking engagements, he teaches online at eat-center.com and serves occasionally at The House of Judah in Seneca, South Carolina.
