In 1972, Rev. James Cleveland, appointed Rodena Preston, as the Chapter Representative for Southern California, comprised of members of the L.A. Community Choir (Harrison “Bubba” Johnson, director), Southern California Community Choir (Rev. James Cleveland, founder), and a few other local groups.  The 5th GMWA National Convention was also held in Los Angeles that same year.

Rev. James Cleveland also appointed Rodena Preston to oversee the National Mass Choir,  screening the music submissions from song writers as suitable for recording by the mass choir.  Many well-renowned artists of today, Kurt Franklin,  Dr. Margaret Pleasant Douroux, Pastor Calvin B. Rhone, Rev. Quincy Fielding, Jr., Kurt Carr, Pastor John P. Kee, Donald Lawrence, Vashawn Mitchell, Malcolm Williams, Rev. Daryl Coley, and many others, had their songs selected by Rodena Preston for the mass choir.

In October 2013, the Los Angeles Chapter honored Dr. Rodena Preston-Williams with a National Salute as a “Gospel Music Treasure and Legacy” for her many years of dedicated service to the Gospel music industry. Dr. Preston held the position of L. A. Chapter Representative,  National Director of Operations, and member of the National Board of Directors,  GMWA, Inc., under the current leadership of Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr., Chairman.

In January 2017, Dr. Preston retired as Chapter Representative and received the title as Emeritus of the Los Angeles Chapter after 45 years of dedicated service.   Sadly, on September 15, 2017, surrounded by her family and friends, our beloved Rodena went home to be with the Lord.  We will cherish her memory always.  We also cherish the memory of our concert announcer, the late Ms. Edna Tatum, who proudly represented the Los Angeles Chapter through her eloquent and prolific words of introduction on local and national platforms.

The Los Angeles Chapter is currently headed by Pastor Calvin B. Rhone, Chapter Representative, officially appointed in July 2017 at the 50th Annual GMWA National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, along with Assistant Chapter Representatives, Ken Farris, MBA (appointed 1988) and Dr. Arlance Sims (appointed 1991) and the Executive Board.  The Los Angeles Chapter is comprised of a mass choir of singers, song writers, and musicians directed by Herman Jones, Minister of Music and Jo Evelyn Parker, Assistant Music Director. The Los Angeles Chapter created the first Contemporary Adult Division choir by Tony Jones, choir director and Sunset Ravenell, choir president.

The Los Angeles Chapter consistently holds monthly rehearsals and attends the National convention each year. Throughout the year, the Los Angeles Chapter lends its musical talents in support of many community and charitable events, fundraising activities, annual concerts, and appreciation services, for local churches, congregations, schools, and service and professional organizations.

In 2025, the Los Angeles Chapter GMWA will celebrate 53 years as one of the largest and dedicated Chapters of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.  (www.gmwanational.net)