Tracey Farley-Artis love for family, music and event planning all are evident in the roles she plays. As a new author, Artis has the opportunity to share the story of her mother “Susan” in her first book “Susans Story” which chronicles the work of the former Woodlawn, Ohio Mayor, the late Ms. Susan Upton -Farley. Artis hopes that the book about the life and career of her mother inspires and encourages readers of all ages that everyone can make a lasting impact within their community. As a lover of family reunions, history and genealogy, Artis open shares that she would like more families to tell the stories of their family members and continue sharing the uniqueness of their family history through writing books, journaling, storytelling and keeping obituaries, photos and housing family heirlooms.
Tracey Artis received her Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Communications degree at Ohio University. Tracey has served the gospel music industry since 1996. Her love for music has afforded her the opportunity to work for several labels and serve as Vice President of Gospo Centric Records, Vice President of Sony Gospel before launching her promotions and marketing firm I Hear Music Inc. In 2010. Tracey Artis has helped drive the industry power and success of some of contemporary Gospel music’s biggest names. Under her watch and visionary promotions plans, the world witnessed the Gold and Platinum Certification of groups and award-winning artists including Trinitee 5:7, Kirk Franklin and the Family, God’s Property featuring Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Ricky Dillard, Brian Courtney Wilson, Andrae Crouch, Shirley Caesar, Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr Singers, The Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark Cole, Byron Cage, J. Moss, Evie McKinney, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Fred Hammond, Vicki Winans, Charles Jenkins, Israel Houghton, Joshua Rogers and many more.
Over the years, Artis began to develop groundbreaking ideas and concepts to enhance the exposure of the artists she’s had the pleasure of working with side by side. These concepts later proved to be the foundation for her company I Hear Music, Inc. that is a promotions and marketing firm that represents gospel artists and produces special events including their signature annual event, "I Hear Music in the Air" which has been in successful operation for over 21 years in her hometown of Cincinnati, OH .
Artis is also a sought-after speaker/panelist, in the music & business industry and she models leadership by working with her peers and colleagues on community projects and serving on several organizations committees and boards including:
- Executive Director/Organizer for the Black Family Reunion
- The Cincinnati NAACP
- The Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce
-The American Heart Association Circle of Red Women
- Chair of The Circle of Red Women
- A "Go Red" Woman
- St. Jude (Community/Industry Projects)
- Chairperson of The Princeton High School Alumni Association
- Arts Facet Chairperson of Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
- LHOI Board Member (2019-present)
-Voting Member, The Recording Academy
- The Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy (SAGMA) Member
- GMA (Gospel Music Association) Member
- Member, Music Business Association
- GMWA Delegate
Artis has been repeatedly honored for her services over the years. In 2010, she was recognized by The Eye of the Artists Foundation through a permanent collection of art at the Cincinnati Museum and she was presented Cincinnati Herald’s Nefertiti Award by the Ohio Senate for her Outstanding Achievement. In March 2013, she received the William P. Abney Spirit Award from the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also has received the Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati Award, The Radio One Unsung Hero Award, 2018 Urban Soul Café Award Honoree, Cincinnati NAACP Marian Spencer Award, The Ebony J Media “Queens Living Legend Award”, Morgan A. Owens “I Am Black HERStory Honoree, The Health Gap “Black Women’s Health Champion Award, Princeton High School Distinguished Alumni Award and her most recent award includes the John F. Barrett 2022 Entrepreneur Vision Award.
She is a devoted wife to Bobby G. Artis, and the mother of two children, Jazmyn and Jordan. Artis’ humbleness is a feat that far outweighs her many accomplishments. Her entire outlook on life can be summed up with the phrase, “Only what you do for Christ will last.
www.ihearmusicintheair.com