2010 Marlin Gospel Award nominee Cholinga (pronounced Cho-lin-ga) Praise is comprised of individuals from South Florida, Tallahassee FL, and Villa Rica, Georgia. It was founded by 2010 South Florida Gospel Music Award nominee Kevin Desire (pronounced De-zeer) during the inaugural year of V.A.D. Music Group (2006), and is the first group of the record label. It was named during Kevin’s visit to Africa in 2006. Wanting an African name, it was in Malawi that upon discussion with some new friends there, “Praise with a Purpose” received its official name! Cholinga means purpose in Chichewa (one of many languages spoken in the central Africa country of Malawi). The group shared in V.A.D. Music Group’s first full CD, “Today, we Represent Change.” The compilation CD was nominated for “Compilation CD of the Year” for the international Marlin Award (Grammys of the Caribbean), and in 2012 received “Suggested Artist Placement” status with the international “Song of the Year” contest for the title song, “Today, We Represent Change” http://songwritingcontest.songoftheyear.com/cholingapraise.htm. The members are active in their churches & are preparing for a live recording session next year in South Florida. The group’s recent and highlighted ministry performances include the Florida Gospel Announcer’s Guild State Music Convention (June 2013), Miami-Dade County Youth Fair Disapora Coalition Arts gospel stage (Mar. 2011-2013), South Florida Gospel Music Awards (Nov. 2011), Gospel Music Workshop of America Come as You Are musical (Aug. 2011), performed at the Marlin Awards, and Cousin-McPhee Cathedral (A.M.E. Church) in Nassau, Bahamas (Oct. 2010), inaugural TV taping for “Center Stage w/ Johnny Sanders” on Urban TV for South Florida (UTV) (Apr. 2011), 11th District African Methodist Episcopal Church (Florida & the Bahamas) Lay Organization Convention (Jun. 2010), COGIC Eastern FL Jurisdiction Music Convention (Jun. 2011), A.M.E. Church South (Florida) Annual Conference Lay Night (Oct. 2009), appearing with other artists, Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency “Gospel For Life” concert (Nov. 2010), and invited to provide pre-show music at a matinee performance of “The Color Purple” musical at the Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (2009). They are committed to the good news of Jesus Christ & express hope & encouragement to people all over the world.