Explore the stories, sounds and legacy of UK gospel music together, in person.

The Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA), together with key project partners, invites you to an exclusive in-person community forum hosted at Birmingham’s historic Grosvenor Road Studios in Handsworth.

Following the soft launch of the UK Gospel Music Archive (UKGMA) online this past summer, this gathering brings together artists, choir directors, church musicians, industry practitioners, cultural historians, and community supporters to reflect on this landmark milestone and collaborate on what comes next.

The event will explore:

The Journey So Far: Behind-the-scenes insights into capturing over seven decades of Black British Gospel music, oral testimonies, and church musical culture.

The Living Archive: How the digital platform is actively preserving the stories and sounds of the Windrush pioneers and African diasporic communities.

The Sustainable Roadmap: How we transition from digital archiving to preserving physical heritage (artefacts, flyers, recorded tapes, vinyl, and documents) with long-term, community-rooted ownership.

Open Community Consultation: A collaborative space for attendees to share insights, voice regional priorities, and help guide the future preservation of British Gospel heritage.

Description supplied by the event organiser.