Kathi Rachea Mills affectionately known as Lady Kathi was, born and raised in Gary, Indiana to Pastor Jesse and Evangelist Norma Phai Mills (both deceased).  She began singing at the early age of 8 with her three brothers, Jeffrey, Ronny (deceased) and Eric until the age of 17. She and her family later moved to Oakland, CA in 1983, where she graduated from Castlemont High School, was a Castleleer and led her first school song "I Need To Pray". Kathi's passion is writing lyrics to music, writing poetry, typing and creating typing projects for clients. She also has her own secretarial business, titled Lady Kathi’s Creations. Kathi's singing career finally began when she joined Peace Gospel Choir. She later branched out to become a solo artist. She currently sings for weddings, anniversaries, funerals, programs, dining establishments and much more.

 

Kathi has released (2) R&B singles Love Dove Kind Of Love & Tailor Made, which can be found under her middle name Rachea [Ra-Shay], (2) Gospel albums, How Great Thou Art and I’ve Gotta Rejoice, released (3) Gospel singles Under His Shadow, Forever Forgiven and The Waiting Is Worth It (inspired by her late mother who wrote a poetry pamphlet title “Why… Because He Cares”). She is currently in the studio working on a full album.

 

She sang on the follow artists’ singles and albums, just to name a few; Leonard Bailey- My Purpose; Glenda Benevides (Grammy’s voting board member) -I Burn & We Walk on Past; Michael Nelson -Bout To Turn Up; Allowyn N. Price and Friends; the late Ronny Mills Ministries -The Minstrel’s Pen; Rev. Yvette Flunder and the City of Refuge Praise Team leading -This is the Day; Peace Gospel Choir, leading the titled song We're Gonna Make It and leading Joy; Timothy Davis as co-writer of Lamb's Bride and Second Life; Deborah Wright and Ministry and rap artist MC Spirit.

 

Kathi not only sings but she also does theatre and has performed in the following productions:

Lesher Center for the Arts (Hofman Theatre) - Symphony Enterprises (Chicken, Chitlins & Caviar)

Hiram W Johnson Theater - Lisa B Productions Clown In The Prayer Closet

Historical Hoover Theatre - Playful People Production (Footloose);

Lorraine Hansberry Theatre – Soulful Christmas;

San Jose Music Theatre - $10k Singing Audition Competition;

Berkeley Repertory Theatre – several stage plays

Someday “SHE” Music Production – (A Good Ole’ Praise);

Paramount Theater – Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God.

 

Currently, Kathi maintains her church membership at Word Assembly, Tracy, CA (Bishop Johnnie Clark, Jr.) but serves as a worship singer at St. Matthews Bapt. Church, Livermore, CA. 

 

Her background of talent has landed her to planted at these various venues such as: Gospel Festivals; 1st ever Juneteenth Festival in Mountain House, CA and will be performing June 2024; Deneice Williams @ Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA; Rise Up, Universal Gospel Choir Yule Concert, Vancouver, BC December 2021; Workshop in Denmark, Copenhagen w/ Terrence Kelly, March 2017; Beverly Crawford, December 2018; background singer for the Dream Team Projects of Oakland,  CA; Pastor Kim Burrell at Beebe Memorial, Oakland, CA, November 2010, the sermonic soloist for the “Wisdom Retreat” Ministry of Bishop Ernestine Reems, Honolulu, HI, February 2003; was the sermonic soloist for Center of Hope Community Church's Africa trip November 2001; She entered TL Records 2001 Talent Show of Pittsburg, CA and won a trophy for 2nd Runner Up; was one of the top 10 finalists for The Gospel Fest for WVKO the Light Radio Station, Columbus, Oh, 2001; Judith McAllister and Tramaine Hawkins-Richardson for the E. C. Reems International Ministries 2001 Convention, Houston, TX; Kim Burrell at the Juneteenth Festival at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA, 2001; for Karen Clark-Sheards at the Juneteenth Festival at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA, 1999;  sang for the National Day of Prayer at the Civic Center in Oakland, CA, 1999; Pastor Shirley Caesar and Prophetess Juanita Bynum at Center of Hope Community Church's 30th Year Anniversary, 1998, Oakland, CA; The Bay Area Gospel Academy Awards, 1998, nominated her for best female gospel soloist.