Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Union University (VUU) and was the first graduate of the Speech and Drama department in 1995. Her minor was vocal music performance. While at Union she was afforded opportunities to participate in events such as the African-American Choral Festival, the Virginia All-State Choir Conference, and was selected as 2nd Runner-Up for the Miss VUU. Moreover, she was an actress and vocalist in the Virginia Union Players production of the musical "Ain't Misbehavin'", as Armelia McQueen and Odessa in "The Amen Corner". She also directed her first one-act stage play- "Aftermath". Furthermore, Lisa was selected as one of thirteen United Negro College Fund/Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation Scholarship Winners and was flown to New York City to meet Janet Jackson and Los Angeles to be presented on stage as one of the representatives for the scholarship during the Rhythm Nation tour. The following year, representatives of the Essence Awards visited VUU to videotape Lisa thanking Janet Jackson for her scholarship. The videotaped appearance was aired on the 1995 Essence Awards in which Janet Jackson was honored. During the summer of 1995, Lisa was selected as an intern for The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC. At the festival, she assisted the costume and property mistress and was a volunteer assistant to the technical director for actress/vocalist Della Reese's performance.
In 1999, Lisa graduated from The George Washington University with a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development with a concentration in Community Counseling. She has worked as counselor, consultant, or teacher in DC Metropolitan area schools and non-profit angencies. Artistically, she has worked as a radio co-host, writer, booking agent, music events consultant and event planner, promotions coordinator, background and lead vocalist with a variety of local and national artists in the country such as Rob Mercer, Kevin Gray, Stephan Terry, Tyrone Powell and Carlton Burgess.
In 2001, Lisa founded Gilliam VOCALS, Inc., whose motto is "Doing All Things To The Glory of God", adapted from I Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17. VOCALS is an acronym for Vocalist, Orator, Consultant, Actress, Lyricist, and Saved describing some of the talents God has given Lisa. The mission of the corporation is to uplift, encourage, and enhance the lives of youth and young adults through the performance, literary, and communication arts. Lisa released her first cd, Past to Present, in 2004. It is comprised of spoken-word and gospel music in which she shares her testimony of God's goodness, grace and healing that has taken place in her life. Each November, Gilliam VOCALS, Inc. sponsors the Past to Present Conference in order to encourage and teach others how to live a life of freedom in Christ by moving from past sin and guilt into the present- a life in which God is pleased. Currently she is working on her second project featuring a variety of DC Metropolitan area artists and producers.
Lisa is a highly sought after vocalist, spoken-word artist, public speaker and hostess of Chrisitian events. Whenever possible, Lisa integrates her counseling skills and techniques with her acting, spoken-word, creative writing and musical talents when she facilitates conferences, seminars, and workshops. It is her sincere desire that the ministries and talents God has birthed within her uplift, encourage, and enhance your life!
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