^{Merdean Gales}

Merdean Gales is a  prominent St. Louisan and legendary gospel  music leader. Merdean Fielding-Gales is a native St. Louisan, one of three  children born to Okley and Bessie Clark, is a distinguished graduate of the St. Louis Public School District,  Harris Stowe  State University  and the Worldwide Bible College.  Merdean has served as the National Music Leader and Chief of Protocol for the  Progressive National Baptist Convention, for the past three decades and for  years served as the hostess and producer of the longest running St. Louis television talk  show; which aired on Fox 2. Merdean can also be seen occassionally co-hosting the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour which airs on Black Entertainment Television. Merdean is a charter member of the Top  Ladies of Distinction, the Continental Society, a member of the NAACP and a  2000 inductee into the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame and on October 21,  2006 Merdean was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and  Museum, an organization that preserves and celebrates the work of the world legendary and influential individuals of gospel music, artists and  entertainers. Merdean is an outstanding public servant, whose dedication and  commitment to spread and share gospel music, not only to the St. Louis  Community, but to the entire world, distinguishes her as a truly devoted Christian  woman, educator, mentor and friend.