When people talk about the pillars of gospel music and its behind-the-scenes champions, few names ring louder with both reverence and respect than Benita Bellamy Kelly. A powerhouse in music marketing, PR, and artist development, she’s not only shaped the soundscape of gospel music through her professional roles but also mentored and uplifted countless voices who now shape the industry. I recently had the profound honor to sit down with Benita—a woman I consider a friend, a mentor, and a divine appointment in my life—for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation.
From Country Roots to Gospel Industry Trailblazer
“I’m just a little country girl from Elizabethton, Tennessee,” Benita humbly begins. Despite her modesty, her impact is anything but small. Raised in a predominantly white, rural Appalachian town, Benita credits her parents—Paul and Pat Bellamy—for instilling a tireless work ethic and an unshakable moral compass. “Do everything in excellence and never give up,” was the family mantra, and it’s carried her through decades in an industry not known for its kindness.
Benita didn’t set out to be a music industry executive. Her first love was dance and piano, nurtured by her parents’ sacrifice on her 11th birthday—a piano and dance lessons she still treasures today. “I was that artsy kid: cheerleading, choir, church youth group, you name it.” Eventually, she became the first Black student to earn a classical piano scholarship at East Tennessee State University.
Yet, life had other plans. A single mother after divorce, Benita found herself looking for stability. “I needed a job. I saw an ad that said ‘administrator for a music company.’ I knew music and I could type.” That company turned out to be EMI Gospel, and the rest is history.
From Secretary to Strategist
Benita’s trajectory from secretary to Vice President at top gospel labels like EMI Gospel and Light Records (now eOne) wasn’t about luck—it was about hustle, humility, and hunger. “I raised my hand for everything. I volunteered. I learned. I listened. And I didn’t let pride stop me from doing the grunt work.” This ethos of being attentive, teachable, and tenacious would become one of her signature lessons to mentees—including myself.
She reminisces about the artists she’s helped launch and promote: Darwin Hobbs, CeCe Winans, Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence, The Blind Boys of Alabama—names that fill music halls and award shows. “Sometimes I still pinch myself. This little country girl was on the road with Aaron Neville!”
Why Independent Artists Matter
After the collapse of many traditional record labels during the digital music revolution, Benita founded The Bellamy Group to champion a then-overlooked segment: independent artists. “God said, ‘I’ll send you the people I want you to work with.’ And my phone hasn’t stopped ringing since.”
She offers candid advice: “Have realistic expectations. Not everyone is called to be a global phenomenon. You might be called to your region, your community—and that’s just as valid.” Her message is clear: integrity, effort, and strategy matter more than fame.
The Gospel According to Branding
Benita is quick to remind artists that while ministry is the foundation, gospel music is also part of the entertainment business. “You have to know your budget. Get professional photos. Know about mixing and mastering. Be serious about your craft.”
She urges artists to understand the difference between singing in the church choir and building a brand in a competitive marketplace. “Once you step out of the church walls, you’re in the business of music. That’s a whole different battlefield.”
Social Media and Authenticity
In today’s social-driven world, artists often find themselves walking a tightrope between being relatable and overexposed. “Be authentic,” Benita advises. “Don’t try to be Lady Gaga if that’s not who you are. And remember—phones are always recording. Carry Jesus with you wherever you go.”
This is more than a branding tip—it’s a spiritual and professional survival guide.
Covering Herself and Others
As a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, Benita’s journey has not been without obstacles—including frequent experiences of inappropriate advances and systemic marginalization. “I had to make a choice. Either be compromised or walk in integrity.” She chose the latter and, in doing so, carved a new path for other women coming behind her.
Benita also stresses the importance of community and support. “You can’t do this alone. You need someone to tell you the truth, to cover you in prayer, to remind you of your calling when you forget it yourself.”
Faith as the Blueprint
When asked what she’s learned about herself, Benita doesn’t hesitate: “I’m more resilient than I thought. I’ve been divorced, broke, on food stamps, evicted—but God never let me fall. I cry, but I bounce back. Always.”
And when things get cloudy? She prays. “Sometimes, I don’t have the words. I’ll say, ‘God, give me the words to write or say,’ and He always does.”
The First Lady of Brotha Magazine
Benita Bellamy Kelley isn’t just a media strategist—she’s been the architect of credibility for my magazine, Brotha. She connected me to my first cover story, Brian Courtney Wilson, which led to a domino effect of interviews with gospel greats. “She gave me my yes when everyone else gave me silence,” I told a listener who questioned why I call her The First Lady of Brother Magazine. That title is earned, and it’s hers.
Final Notes: Songs of the Soul
At the end of our conversation, we swapped soul songs that sustain us. Hers? “Greater” by Chad Brawley and “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells. Mine? “You Can’t Take My Faith Away” by Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Songs not on the top charts, but those that hold us together when we’re falling apart.
In a world that often measures success by visibility and clout, Benita Bellamy Kelley reminds us that greatness is about doing what’s right, building others up, and walking with God—even when the path isn’t clear.
Everyone needs a Benita. But as I always say—you can’t have mine.
