Scores of people came out to salute legendary singer/songwriter Bill Foster at the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service and Man of the Year Award Breakfast.
The outdoor event, hosted by Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship (RSCF) on Jan. 16, featured a tribute to Foster in recognition of his career accomplishments and community service and honored Yamri Crossley, a high school graduate and recipient of the 2020 RSCF youth scholarship.
Stan Dowells, RSCF’s community liaison and emcee; and Minister Jacques Worsham, RSCF assistant pastor; were among the crowd who paid tribute to Foster, who had a decades-long music career. Beginning in 1956, he traveled the country as a member of The Medallions R&B group. He performed with many prominent artists and was very close with singer Etta James, for whom he wrote the song, “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
Foster also opened one of the first sober living facilities in Los Angeles, Chains of Love, in 1987. In 2018, he received commendations from Congresswoman Maxine Waters and L.A. Councilmember Herb Wesson for establishing the recovery homes and maintaining more than 40 years of sobriety as well as making incredible contributions to the “Doo Wop era.”
The event served as a fundraiser for RSCF’s annual youth scholarship fund. Over the years, RSCF Pastor Walter Davis and the Rejected Stone congregation sponsored several young people and guardians on 14 annual educational trips throughout America and Mexico.
Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship is located at 4700 Avalon Blvd., in Los Angeles. To learn more, call the church office at (323) 235-4319.
