Welcome to the Nia Network: A Program Bureau, a division of Celeste Bateman & Associates. The program bureau features visual and performing artists, historians, writers and motivational speakers of African descent who present in various venues nationally and internationally. CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals who are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, schools, churches, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. What makes this program bureau unique is that all of the participants present topics and art forms pertaining to the African Diaspora.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Joshua Nelson
In the 19 years since Joshua Nelson sang along with a Mahalia Jackson album he discovered in his grandparents’ home when he was eight years old, he has spread the sheer joy and fervent spirituality of Gospel music to audiences from New Jersey to Jerusalem and throughout the world. Joshua, whose voice bears a remarkable resemblance to that of the late Ms. Jackson, has performed in concert halls, synagogues, churches, and at various outdoor venues solo and with such musical luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin, Stephanie Mills; Gospel greats Albertina Walker, the Barret Sisters, Hezekiah Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Reverend Timothy Wright, and Bobby Jones & New Life; blues singer Carrie Smith; late jazz greats, Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie, and many others.
Highlights of Joshua’s brilliant young career include recording “How I Got Over,” a Mahalia Jackson staple, at age 13; singing at the request of the Vaughan family at the funeral of legendary jazz diva, Sarah Vaughan at age 15; and singing at New York City’s Lincoln Center in the 1993 JVC Jazz Festival, thus maintaining his special link with Mahalia Jackson, whose appearance in the 1958 Newport Festival introduced Gospel music to a deeply appreciative audience. In 1995, Joshua and Mahalia’s pianist Eddie Robinson, with whom he performs extensively, accepted an award on behalf of Ms. Jackson for her induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1998, he was selected to honor Ms. Jackson in her hometown of New Orleans, LA where the National Postal Service unveiled its series of Gospel music stamps honoring Mahalia, Clara Ward, Rosetta Thorpe and Roberta Martin.
Joshua recently embarked on an extensive European tour that included Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Holland, and Germany where he performed to standing-room-only audiences. He toured Israel (performing in perfect Hebrew as well as English), and had the opportunity to sing “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem, at Binyanei Ha’uma Hall in Jerusalem for an audience that included the President of Israel.
In 1999, he was a featured artist at the Azusa Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event became the live recording of “Carlton Pearson Live at Azusa 3.” Joshua’s rendition of “How I Got Over” became one of the most requested songs on radio stations all over the country. “How I Got Over” became the driving force for the album which ultimately sold over 150,000 copies, nominated for the Gospel industry’s Stellar Award and a Grammy.
In 1999, Joshua sang at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden to an audience of 30,000 backed by a 5,500-voice choir, full string orchestra, and band. The Swedish newspaper reported that audience members unfamiliar with this genre of music were uplifted and several people were reportedly healed of sickness by the mere sound of his voice. In 2001, he sang before the Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, and various officials at the opening of the Padei Institute for Jewish Studies. He was made an official “Ambassador of Peace through Song” by the Swedish government.
In 1999, he performed before Bill Clinton (and an audience of 10,000) in Selma, Alabama as the President delivered an address at the Commemoration of “Bloody Sunday” in recognition of the Voters’ Rights Act of 1965.
A recently released 60-minute documentary film on Mr. Nelson entitled Keep On Walking (2001) tells the story of this unique artist’s ability to blend the cultural and religious aspects of his life -- evoking the spirit of the great Mahalia Jackson while taking audiences by storm. The film has been aired on national television in Sweden, Denmark, Japan, France, Israel, and Italy. Still in its infancy, it has already garnered awards at various film festivals, most notably the prestigious Rhode Island Film Festival where it won for Best Film.
Other Highlights
Joshua’s television credits include A+ for Kids on WWOR-TV with Savion Glover in their Great, Great Kids series; SingSation, a Gospel program taped in Chicago and broadcast nationally on CBS-TV (1995-1997); and Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) Bobby Jones Gospel (1995-2000). While still in high school he organized a choir which provided the music for the WWOR-TV video, Volunteering: A Gift of Time sponsored by PSE&G (1992). The video debuted in Trenton where the group performed for then Governor Jim Florio.
Joshua Nelson graduated from Newark’s Arts High School in New Jersey. Other noteworthy graduates include the late Sarah Vaughan, Melba Moore, Andy Bey, Tisha Campbell, Frankie Negron, and Savion Glover. He was the school’s official soloist for the four years he studied there. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at Hopewell Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.
Joshua has conducted extensive research on Mahalia and other Gospel luminaries and has presented seminars for young people on the history of Gospel music. He is a proponent of preserving traditional Gospel music and travels worldwide performing the music in its original form. His cultural and religious background and extensive travels through Israel influenced him to create a new form of music, blending Jewish liturgical and African-American musical styles.
Through his unique talent, electrifying performances and profound commitment to spiritual music, Joshua is converting new listeners everywhere. In his own words: “I want to take this music all around the world to all types of audiences in its original form. I want to let people hear it and realize that it is not just good to listen to, it is good for the soul.”
Highlights of Joshua’s brilliant young career include recording “How I Got Over,” a Mahalia Jackson staple, at age 13; singing at the request of the Vaughan family at the funeral of legendary jazz diva, Sarah Vaughan at age 15; and singing at New York City’s Lincoln Center in the 1993 JVC Jazz Festival, thus maintaining his special link with Mahalia Jackson, whose appearance in the 1958 Newport Festival introduced Gospel music to a deeply appreciative audience. In 1995, Joshua and Mahalia’s pianist Eddie Robinson, with whom he performs extensively, accepted an award on behalf of Ms. Jackson for her induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1998, he was selected to honor Ms. Jackson in her hometown of New Orleans, LA where the National Postal Service unveiled its series of Gospel music stamps honoring Mahalia, Clara Ward, Rosetta Thorpe and Roberta Martin.
Joshua recently embarked on an extensive European tour that included Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Holland, and Germany where he performed to standing-room-only audiences. He toured Israel (performing in perfect Hebrew as well as English), and had the opportunity to sing “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem, at Binyanei Ha’uma Hall in Jerusalem for an audience that included the President of Israel.
In 1999, he was a featured artist at the Azusa Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event became the live recording of “Carlton Pearson Live at Azusa 3.” Joshua’s rendition of “How I Got Over” became one of the most requested songs on radio stations all over the country. “How I Got Over” became the driving force for the album which ultimately sold over 150,000 copies, nominated for the Gospel industry’s Stellar Award and a Grammy.
In 1999, Joshua sang at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden to an audience of 30,000 backed by a 5,500-voice choir, full string orchestra, and band. The Swedish newspaper reported that audience members unfamiliar with this genre of music were uplifted and several people were reportedly healed of sickness by the mere sound of his voice. In 2001, he sang before the Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, and various officials at the opening of the Padei Institute for Jewish Studies. He was made an official “Ambassador of Peace through Song” by the Swedish government.
In 1999, he performed before Bill Clinton (and an audience of 10,000) in Selma, Alabama as the President delivered an address at the Commemoration of “Bloody Sunday” in recognition of the Voters’ Rights Act of 1965.
A recently released 60-minute documentary film on Mr. Nelson entitled Keep On Walking (2001) tells the story of this unique artist’s ability to blend the cultural and religious aspects of his life -- evoking the spirit of the great Mahalia Jackson while taking audiences by storm. The film has been aired on national television in Sweden, Denmark, Japan, France, Israel, and Italy. Still in its infancy, it has already garnered awards at various film festivals, most notably the prestigious Rhode Island Film Festival where it won for Best Film.
Other Highlights
Joshua’s television credits include A+ for Kids on WWOR-TV with Savion Glover in their Great, Great Kids series; SingSation, a Gospel program taped in Chicago and broadcast nationally on CBS-TV (1995-1997); and Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) Bobby Jones Gospel (1995-2000). While still in high school he organized a choir which provided the music for the WWOR-TV video, Volunteering: A Gift of Time sponsored by PSE&G (1992). The video debuted in Trenton where the group performed for then Governor Jim Florio.
Joshua Nelson graduated from Newark’s Arts High School in New Jersey. Other noteworthy graduates include the late Sarah Vaughan, Melba Moore, Andy Bey, Tisha Campbell, Frankie Negron, and Savion Glover. He was the school’s official soloist for the four years he studied there. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at Hopewell Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.
Joshua has conducted extensive research on Mahalia and other Gospel luminaries and has presented seminars for young people on the history of Gospel music. He is a proponent of preserving traditional Gospel music and travels worldwide performing the music in its original form. His cultural and religious background and extensive travels through Israel influenced him to create a new form of music, blending Jewish liturgical and African-American musical styles.
Through his unique talent, electrifying performances and profound commitment to spiritual music, Joshua is converting new listeners everywhere. In his own words: “I want to take this music all around the world to all types of audiences in its original form. I want to let people hear it and realize that it is not just good to listen to, it is good for the soul.”