With an ear for music and a heart full of song, he brings gospel music events and opportunities to the Upstate every year. For this reason and more, we are proud to recognize Elijah Ray as one of our 2008 Upstate Black History Makers.

Elijah Ray is the President and CEO of E. Ray Promotions, a gospel music ministry that is home of Spirit Fest and Spirit Fest Legend. Elijah has promoted gospel music for almost 20 years and has worked with gospel music's most highly acclaimed artists. Spirit Fest has become one of the largest gospel concerts in the southeast. Elijah's love of gospel music began at an early age when he became a fan and avid listener of all types of music. He furthered his involvement by becoming a radio announcer as a teenager. Elijah continues to make gospel music a big part of his life and uses his love of gospel music as a vehicle to assist others.

The Spirit Fest Legend competition is another avenue Elijah is using to give back to the community. Since 2006, every year local Upstate residents are invited to compete for a chance to perform at the Spirit Fest concert. It has provided one of the premier opportunities for individuals to launch a gospel music career. In addition, Elijah has been able to award over $30,000 in scholarships to high school minority students through events coordinated by E. Ray Promotions.

Elijah is also a senior customer executive for a logistics company where he has been employed for 15 years. He served as the second African-American President of the Council of Supply Chain Management, the largest logistics association in the world. He is also a member of the Warehousing Education Council and the American Society for Quality.

Elijah enjoys reading, exercising, singing, and spending time with his family. He is a 1982 graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton SC where he received a B.S. in Political Science. He was Co Captain of the football team and he was listed in America's Who's Who among Colleges and Universities.

Elijah is married to Vanessa Watson Ray and they are proud parents of a daughter who is a freshman at Furman University. He serves as a trustee of the Beaverdam Baptist Church in Enoree, SC.

For his contributions in music and towards education, 107.3 JAMZ is proud to salute Elijah Ray as a 2008 Upstate Black History Maker.