Zelma Redding, president and founder of the Otis Redding Foundation, will be honored with the Legacy Award, on Friday night (October 3rd) at the 2025 Living Legends Foundation Gala in Atlanta, GA, for her lifelong commitment to the arts, philanthropy, and cultural preservation of her late husband, legendary soul singer Otis Redding.
After the untimely death of her husband, Zelma dedicated her life to preserving his legacy while empowering the next generation. To put this vision into action, she formally founded the Otis Redding Foundation (ORF) in 2007. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown into a nationally respected organization using music and the arts to uplift young people from all walks of life. Its flagship programs, the Otis Music Camp for teens aged 12-18 and Camp Dream for younger children ages 5-11, have nurtured many students through mentorship, arts education, and personal development.
Zelma Redding has carried on her husband’s legacy in their hometown of Macon, GA, since his untimely passing in 1967, with the opening of the Otis Redding Foundation in 2007; Courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, 65Linda/Trip Advisor, and Relbats
Zelma’s most ambitious dream came true on March 18, 2025, with the opening of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA) in downtown Macon. The 15,000-square-foot facility serves as the heart of the Foundation’s work, featuring creative labs, the O3 recording studio—named after her late son—private lesson rooms, and the Zelma Redding Amphitheatre. ORCA offers comprehensive training in both the creative and business sides of the music industry, ensuring students gain skills for lasting success. At its entrance stands a bronze statue of Otis Redding, yet the true living legacy of Otis and Zelma is inside, where young people can be inspired to learn, create, and dream.
This legacy is also a family affair. Zelma’s daughter, Karla Redding-Andrews, has been a driving force behind the Foundation’s growth, while her sons, the late Otis Redding III and Dexter Redding, and now her grandchildren have carried the mission forward, making the Otis Redding Foundation a multigenerational movement rooted in music, community, and purpose.
The Living Legends Foundation praised Zelma as a true spirit of leadership, compassion, and community involvement, recognizing her not only for preserving Otis Redding’s music and message but also for building an institution that empowers youth nationwide.
Through her vision, Zelma Redding has turned personal tragedy into a powerful force for positive change. Her honor at the 2025 Gala reflects both her remarkable journey and the lasting impact of the Foundation that has inspired subsequent generations.
