This week on The Local Take I speak with Pastor David Richards of New Hope AME Church in Buckhead.The church will celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2019 and they are kicking off the festivities on Saturday, September 15th with a concert open to the public called Jazz On The Green. Pastor Richards explains how the church came to be in 1872 when James H. Smith, a white Buckhead farmer, willed three acres of his property for use as a church and school for newly freed "colored persons." Before that the enslaved would meet near that property for worship at the New Hope Camp Grounds.
Pastor Richards shares with us that New Hope AME was established around the birth of Jazz making this genre even more suitable for this ecumenical worship service.
Akirah Renee who will perform at Jazz On The Green, joins us and she speaks to her musical sound being called "Neo Praise" a merging of gospel, jazz and neo-soul. The graduate of the Berkely School of Music is happy to share her voice in support of New Hope AME Church.
Other performers will include "A Touch of Class" and "9 and 7." This event is open to the public and community of all ages, just bring your own chair and join us for Jazz On The Green at New Hope AME Church located on 3012 Arden Road, Atlanta, GA 30305.
For more information on New Hope AME Church
For more information on the History of New Hope AME Church
For more information on Akirah Renee
