Bronx, NY—Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present the return of MCDONALD’S GOSPELFEST with legendary artists HEZEKIAH WALKER, JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, AND LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON on April 11, 2026, at 8 PM.
This unforgettable evening promises to uplift hearts and stir souls with the power and passion of world-class gospel music. Audiences can expect electrifying performances, inspiring messages, and the joyous spirit that makes this celebration a must-see event for gospel lovers of all generations.
HEZEKIAH WALKER, known as the “Pastor of Hip Hop”, is a Grammy Award–winning gospel pioneer who blends faith and contemporary musical styles to reach global audiences. Raised in Brooklyn and founder of the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, Walker’s albums “I’ll Make It” and “Oh Lord We Praise You.” helped redefine modern gospel music, His signature hit “Every Praise” was named Billboard’s Gospel Song of the Decade in 2019.
With two Grammy wins and over ten nominations, he remains a leading voice in ministry, community outreach, and spiritual inspiration. Most recently, he announced a collaboration with Virginia Union University to establish the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music, the first center of its kind in the country.
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, renowned for her powerhouse voice and commanding stage presence, skyrocketed to fame with her iconic, TONY Award-winning portrayal of Effie Melody White in the smash Broadway musical Dreamgirls.
Discovered at age 17 while singing in her Houston church choir, she has built a legendary career spanning stage and music, earning 2 GRAMMY Awards for her unforgettable performances of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday.”
LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON is an American gospel singer and songwriter from Palatka, Florida, and is known for winning Season 3 of Sunday Best, the BET’s gospel competition, in 2010. She garnered rapid success with her debut album, “The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson.” In 2012, Johnson won a GRAMMY for Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance. Her hit singles include “Better Days”, “Jesus”, and “Sooner or Later”.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx Delegation. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
We are thrilled to share that Goya Foods has agreed to renew their sponsorship for this season which will help Lehman Center expand our reach to the community. In addition, we have secured funding from the Howard Gilman foundation to help grow our programming. The 2025-2026 anniversary season is also made possible through sponsorships by Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for McDONALD’S GOSPELFEST on April 11, 2026 at 8 PM (VIP $110, $75, $65, $50, $45) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 or 718-960-8835 in Spanish (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm, and beginning at 4pm on the day of the concert), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/mcdonalds-gospelfest. Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
