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Mercer Universitywill confer an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to  

Zelma Redding, Macon civic leader, entrepreneur, founder and president of the Otis Redding Foundation. 

After Otis Redding’s passing in 1967, as a young mother raising three small children, Zelma Redding earned her high school equivalency degree, enrolled in business classes and mastered the music business while keeping her husband’s legacy in the forefront. She eventually opened multiple successful businesses. 

“I am deeply honored and would like to thank President Underwood and the Trustees for presenting me this amazing honor,” said Redding. “The Otis Redding Foundation has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Mercer, including the Otis Redding Law Scholarship Fund, and we look forward to continuing that collaboration through the Otis Redding Center for the Arts.” 

Founded in 2007, the Otis Redding Foundation continues the couple’s shared dedication to philanthropy and empowering the lives of young people by championing education and creating learning opportunities in music and the arts. Zelma Redding is also head of the Estate of Otis Redding and continues to manage the legacy, including his music catalog and his name, image and likeness.   

In March 2025, Zelma Redding and her family opened the Otis Redding Center for the Arts in Macon, which achieved a longtime dream held by she and her husband, who is known as the “King of Soul.” A 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, the Center serves as a hub for the community and the Foundation’s programs and includes the Zelma Redding Amphitheater. Serving young people ages 5-18, the curricula cover the creative and business sides of music and entertainment, including content creation, performing, entertainment law, engineering, graphic design and touring. Programs for toddlers and senior citizens will be announced later this year. 

“Zelma Redding’s many contributions to Macon and her leadership of the Otis Redding Foundation and the Otis Redding Center for the Arts make her a worthy recipient of this University honor,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood. “Programs of the Foundation and the Center have positively impacted countless lives of children and teens for almost two decades. She has been a tremendous force for good in our community and state.”   

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Otis Redding Foundation