Shirley Caesar began sing for peers and relatives at an early age, and they knew she would become some one special in the gospel music industry. She had the opportunity to sing with the great Albertina Walker. She has had the opportunity to sing with some many great artist including, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington and James Cleveland while in the Caravans. She began pursuing a solo career and making a name for herself in the gospel music industry around 1966.
Caesar received many awards including Stellar Awards and Dove Awards over the years. She had two Black Gospel Song of the Year Awards. Caesar has been apart of 17 different recording projects, and has created a very high standard for gospel singers. Caesar was not only an award-winning woman, but she was very educated.
“Caesar graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1984. She also spent time studying at the Divinity School of Duke University and has received honorary doctorates from Shaw University and Southeastern University.”
Caesar pastors a church in North Carolina that seats 1500, and she has one of the largest congregations as a female pastor. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and has been married to her husband Bishop Harold Williams since 1983. Caesar stated. "I never dreamed the Lord would bring my ministry to where it is, and I feel that I have not yet reached the zenith because we've got such wonderful things planned!" She cites her mother as a strong influence in her decision to give so selflessly of herself. The pastor has committed a sizeable portion of all concert sales to her Outreach Ministries. She continues to deliver weekly sermons and also leads an annual Outreach Ministries conference.
