Sister Gary

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The Sister Gary Spiritual Program was a gospel music show on WRAL-FM that broke racial barriers and laid the groundwork for religious programs that would follow.

The Sister Gary Program premiered as a weekly broadcast on WRAL-FM in in the 1940s. Host Mabel Gary Philpot, or “Sister Gary” as she was known in the pulpit, was the first African-American to host a regularly-scheduled radio show in Raleigh.

Sister Gary came to Raleigh in 1936 to preach at Grace Chapel AME Zion Church in Raleigh. Her powerful preaching drew the attention of WRAL General Manager Fred Fletcher, who recognized her potential as a radio performer. Fletcher signed her up and the show began building an impressive following.

After more than two decades of success on radio, “The Sister Gary Spiritual Program” changed venues and moved over to WRAL-TV in 1969. The new television program aired every Sunday morning from 7:30 – 8:00 and featured Gary’s sister Sandra Byrd and the Wesleyan TV Choir. The transition to television introduced Sister Gary to a larger audience and firmly established her place in the history of gospel music in North Carolina.

Following her death, Sister Gary’s television program evolved into WRAL-TV’s award-winning “Spiritual Awakening.” That gospel music program carries on to this day and is a weekly reminder of the trail blazed by Sister Mabel Gary Philpot.

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Highlights for Sister Gary

Random CBC History Trivia Questions

1. Many well-known preachers had their programs produced in the studios of WRAL and/or WRAL radio. Which person did NOT broadcast from the studios of WRAL and/or WRAL radio? A) Sister Gary B) Oral Roberts C) Billy Graham D) Jimmy Morriss 2. While in Minneapolis, Minnesota covering the 1994 NCAA Basketball Championship, which WRAL Sports […]
Sister Mabel Gary. A Preacher and “Ratings Getter”

Mabel Gary Philpot – or “Sister Gary” as she was known in the pulpit and on the air, came to WRAL-AM in the 1940s to host a gospel music program on Sunday evenings. She was the first African-American to host a regularly-scheduled radio show in Raleigh. A native of Abingdon, Virginia, Sister Gary studied at […]
Sister Gary

Very early photo of Sister Mabel Gary, who hosted gospel programs on WRAL Radio and Television.
Sister Mabel Gary

Sister Gary advertisement for her radio program on WRAL-AM and FM. Sister Garys program led to the current WRAL gospel program Spiritual Awakening.
Sandra Byrd and the Weslyan choir

Sister Garys sister Sandra Byrd leads the Weslyan TV choir. Byrd and the choir performed weekly on the Sister Gary Spiritual program and later she hosted Spiritual Awakenings.

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Sister Gary

Highlights for Sister Gary

Random CBC History Trivia Questions

Sister Mabel Gary. A Preacher and “Ratings Getter”

Sister Gary

Sister Mabel Gary

Sandra Byrd and the Weslyan choir