Contact: Jim Weiss, Gospel Music Channel, 770-692-4579, jim@gospelmusicchannel.com

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Platinum-selling musical artists Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin wowed the crowd at the Walter Kaitz Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner at the New York Hilton Wednesday night.

Photo: (L-R) Kirk Franklin, Brianna Geikle and Donnie McClurkin, backed by the Gospel Music Channel Kids Choir, during the finale of "O-o-h Child."

The multiple Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award winners opened the evening with an inspiring version of the 70s classic "O-o-h Child," flanked by the specially-assembled Gospel Music Channel Kids Choir. Later, Franklin returned to close the show with a performance of his mega-hit, "Imagine Me."

The performances by Franklin and McClurkin, two of the biggest stars in gospel music, were produced and sponsored by the Gospel Music Channel. With a viewership split almost evenly among Caucasians and African Americans, Gospel Music Channel is the most diverse network in all of television and a proud supporter of the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

The dinner raised $1.7 million for cable's efforts to increase its employee diversity. The funds benefit The Emma Bowen Foundation, the National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT). In turn, the programs of these organizations enable minority high school students to receive paid job-training and support within the cable industry; allow individuals from unusual backgrounds to participate in leadership development programs; and provide mentoring to women and minorities.

One of the fastest growing networks in cable television this year, Gospel Music Channel is the first and only 24-hour, advertiser-supported, all music entertainment network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring, and diverse music that is gospel. GMC can be seen on various cable systems around the county.