January 28, 2021 • 60 mins
COME MEET GOSPEL RECORDING & SONGWRITER, ANITA FRANKLIN FROM TALLEHASSEE, FL
BIO
Christian Contemporary Gospel Recording Artist and Songwriter
Anita’s love for music started at a very young age singing in church choirs. At the age of
eight she was introduced to the stage as a soloist at a Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
State Convention held annually in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then she has gracefully
continued the journey of singing.
During her college years at Florida A&M University (1981-1984) she was a member of
Florida A&M University (FAMU) Gospel Choir under the leadership of the gospel choir’s
Founder and Advisor, the late Dr. J.D. Olds. During her years with FAMU Gospel Choir she
was blessed to be featured on the gospel choir’s first "Live Recording" as lead vocalist for
the albums’ title cut "He Will Bring You Out". In the 1990s’ Anita’s gifts were not only
recognized in the church circle but spread in the community when she was invited to join
the singing group General Uprising and gospel group "Psalms 8". In 1995 Anita was
featured vocalist on National Gospel Jazz Recording artist - Mr. Ben Tankard’s first album
"All Keyed Up" singing "Let This Love Live".
Anita participated as Apprentice in the State of Florida’s Folk Heritage to study
African America blues under the master: the legendary Charles Atkins. This masterpiece of
Anita and Charles Atkins studying music is historically placed in the State of Florida’s
Department of State Archives of History.
Anita’s passion for music and singing open more doors when she was invited by Mr.
Earle Lee, Director of the Boys Choir of Tallahassee to travel and perform with them. She
has shared the stage with The Boys Choir of Tallahassee for over eight years traveling with
them in January 2009 to Washington, DC for the First Inauguration of President Barack
Obama and In July of 2009 to travel and perform as lead vocalist with the Boys Choir at the
Essence Festival in New Orleans to participate in a tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes. Anita’s
historical moments were performing with the Boys Choir in Selma, Alabama for its annual
national "Bloody Sunday Festival" and in 2012 the historical visit to the White House for the
White House Holiday Celebration with President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.
As a songwriter Anita has written several songs and on June 2017 Anita released her single
entitled "YOU PRAISE HIM" produced by Christopher Lowe which was she was nominated in
four categories by the Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards 2018 and received the 2108 Rhythm of
Gospel Music Awards “Best Performance by Female Artist and her Christmas project “The Last
Time Holiday Love”. Anita has recently been nominated for “Female Soloist of the Year” by
the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards for their 2019 21st Annual Awards Ceremony to
be held in Houston, Texas.
PASSION TO SERVE
Anita’s heart and passion to serve speaks for itself. She is a member of Celebrate New Life
Tabernacle (CNLT) in Tallahassee, Florida, Bishop Joseph Henderson, Senior Pastor,
where she serves as coordinator for the Women’s Prison Ministry and has been involved in
prison ministry for over 18 years. Anita continue to support her husband as Chair of the organizing
committee for The 100 Hall of Fame Legacy Foundation, Inc., founded by her husband Mr.
Kenneth E. Hanna.
FAMILY
Anita believe family is your base and most important foundation that produces positive
relationships. Anita has been blessed to have family that has supported her since childhood. Her
mother, Evangelist Stella Stallworth and father, Elder Joseph D. Franklin (deceased) has been the
most powerful influences in her life. Anita is the proud mother of two (Jacob and Lauren ) and
happily married to Mr. Kenneth E. Hanna who continues to support her 100 percent in her music
BIO
Christian Contemporary Gospel Recording Artist and Songwriter
Anita’s love for music started at a very young age singing in church choirs. At the age of
eight she was introduced to the stage as a soloist at a Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
State Convention held annually in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then she has gracefully
continued the journey of singing.
During her college years at Florida A&M University (1981-1984) she was a member of
Florida A&M University (FAMU) Gospel Choir under the leadership of the gospel choir’s
Founder and Advisor, the late Dr. J.D. Olds. During her years with FAMU Gospel Choir she
was blessed to be featured on the gospel choir’s first "Live Recording" as lead vocalist for
the albums’ title cut "He Will Bring You Out". In the 1990s’ Anita’s gifts were not only
recognized in the church circle but spread in the community when she was invited to join
the singing group General Uprising and gospel group "Psalms 8". In 1995 Anita was
featured vocalist on National Gospel Jazz Recording artist - Mr. Ben Tankard’s first album
"All Keyed Up" singing "Let This Love Live".
Anita participated as Apprentice in the State of Florida’s Folk Heritage to study
African America blues under the master: the legendary Charles Atkins. This masterpiece of
Anita and Charles Atkins studying music is historically placed in the State of Florida’s
Department of State Archives of History.
Anita’s passion for music and singing open more doors when she was invited by Mr.
Earle Lee, Director of the Boys Choir of Tallahassee to travel and perform with them. She
has shared the stage with The Boys Choir of Tallahassee for over eight years traveling with
them in January 2009 to Washington, DC for the First Inauguration of President Barack
Obama and In July of 2009 to travel and perform as lead vocalist with the Boys Choir at the
Essence Festival in New Orleans to participate in a tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes. Anita’s
historical moments were performing with the Boys Choir in Selma, Alabama for its annual
national "Bloody Sunday Festival" and in 2012 the historical visit to the White House for the
White House Holiday Celebration with President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.
As a songwriter Anita has written several songs and on June 2017 Anita released her single
entitled "YOU PRAISE HIM" produced by Christopher Lowe which was she was nominated in
four categories by the Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards 2018 and received the 2108 Rhythm of
Gospel Music Awards “Best Performance by Female Artist and her Christmas project “The Last
Time Holiday Love”. Anita has recently been nominated for “Female Soloist of the Year” by
the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards for their 2019 21st Annual Awards Ceremony to
be held in Houston, Texas.
PASSION TO SERVE
Anita’s heart and passion to serve speaks for itself. She is a member of Celebrate New Life
Tabernacle (CNLT) in Tallahassee, Florida, Bishop Joseph Henderson, Senior Pastor,
where she serves as coordinator for the Women’s Prison Ministry and has been involved in
prison ministry for over 18 years. Anita continue to support her husband as Chair of the organizing
committee for The 100 Hall of Fame Legacy Foundation, Inc., founded by her husband Mr.
Kenneth E. Hanna.
FAMILY
Anita believe family is your base and most important foundation that produces positive
relationships. Anita has been blessed to have family that has supported her since childhood. Her
mother, Evangelist Stella Stallworth and father, Elder Joseph D. Franklin (deceased) has been the
most powerful influences in her life. Anita is the proud mother of two (Jacob and Lauren ) and
happily married to Mr. Kenneth E. Hanna who continues to support her 100 percent in her music
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