Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.

Episode: 017 “Gospel Music: The Cry of the Soul from the Black Church”

Airdate: February 1, 2021

Length: 1:04:49

Guests: September Penn

As we kick off Black History Month I wanted to begin with the heart and soul of our community, the Black Church and Gospel music. My guest September Penn is an accomplished worship minister, vocalist, and seminarian. She comes with a wealth of wisdom, knowledge, and impeccable giftedness.

We engage in a conversation that centers around the significance of the Black Church to the Black community dating all the way back to the “invisible church” during the days of slavery. Penn describes the role of the Black Church as the space that leaves space for God to intervene. We call this the space to “play” with God. Historically, Monday through Friday as Black people navigate racism to survive and thrive in spite of, they feel the stress in their bodies. Sundays are the days to be restored in their bodies. That’s why the Black Church is critical.

Gospel music, she says, “Is the cry, the sound of the soul singing out.” Penn sheds light on the influence of gospel music on the broader US and global societies. Rock ‘n Roll, Blues, R&B, and even Hip Hop can claim Gospel roots. Even countries like Japan and Poland have been influenced by the songs of pain and resiliency of Gospel music.

This is Black History.

You can follow September Penn on Facebook, on Instagram with the handle @septemberpenn, and on Twitter with the handle @septembersings. Before to check out September’s virtual presentation of "Sounds of the Civil Rights Movement: The Power of Song." The video will premiere at 5:00pm PST on Tuesday, February 2nd:

https://youtu.be/ZCEFVYuwnQk

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based pastor, social justice activist, filmmaker and author. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – will be published February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. student studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.