When Malinda Sings | Malinda Richie-Samuel

Malinda’s life has been a melodious journey that has taken her from the vibrant church choirs of her youth to the dazzling limelight of professional music. She found harmony alongside Charlette Brown-Seward and Gladys Sheffield. Their voices soared as the soulful trio, “Wildflower,” and they were contracted by TK productions in the sun-kissed city of Hialeah, Florida.

Malinda went on to lend her voice as a backup singer for the legendary KC & the Sunshine Band. She also collaborated with platinum recording artist Peter Brown on his hit track “The idle mind is the playground for the devil.” Malinda’s soulful voice blended perfectly with Betty Wright’s rich tones. She opened for icons like Sammy Davis Jr. and shared the stage with The Fifth Dimension. Her voice added depth to Foxy’s track “Gotta Get Off,” and she graced television screens across America with guest appearances on American Bandstand and The Mike Douglas Show. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and was crowned Miss Teenage Jacksonville 1976-77 impressing crowds with her performance of “One Hand, One Heart” from “West Side Story” —which also won her titles such as Miss Congeniality and Most Talented.

Beyond performance, Malinda has touched lives through words as an author. Her published works include personal reflections like “Miracles: My Life Story,” heartwarming tales in “Christmas Miracles In the Air,” and celestial insights in “Angelic Encounters.” Drawing from her deep love for choir music, she has dedicated over a quarter-century to guiding young voices as a music teacher and chorus director. Singing was more than Malinda’s passion; it became her way of reaching out to people’s hearts and souls. Her commitment to uplifting others transcended into her spiritual life, where she tends to her flock along with Robert Mt Pisgah at Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and AME Church in Atlantic Beach, FL alongside Rev. Pauline Tucker.

In parallel to her pastoral duties, Malinda founded Richie Ministries and Wow Factor Women’s Ministry. Her devotion was clear: To spread love, joy, and hope through song and service—an embodiment of what she believed the world needed most: love, sweet love. “When Malinda Sings,” is a heartfelt homage to her mother Inez Richie-Lucas—affectionately known as “Ms. Richie”—who has gone home to be with the Lord, and yet lives on as an eternal melody in Malinda’s heart.