(1897 – 1987)

Jester Hairston was born on July 9 in 1901. He was an African-American choral composer and actor. The grandson of slaves from the Hairston plantation at Belew’s Creek, North Carolina, Jester Hairston often had to suffer the indignities of Hollywood racism. Graduating with a high level of academic distinction from Tufts University, with a major in music, he also studied music at the famed Julliard School. He spent thirteen years as assistant conductor of the Hall Johnson Negro Choir where he often arranged and conducted choirs for Broadway.

He first came to Hollywood in 1936 to conduct the choir work and spent fifteen years on radio and TV’s Amos ‘n’ Andy despite the fact that the other black characters were played by white actors. Hairston’s early acting roles included playing a “Witch Doctor” in the 1955 film, Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle. TV fans perhaps best recognize Hairston as “Rolly Forbes” on the 1986 series Amen; his presence in Hollywood was often hidden on the other side of the camera. As one of the greatest choral music directors, Hairston composed or arranged more than 300 gospel spirituals in films such as Green Pastures and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. One of the first black actors in the Screen Actors Guild, among his notable works was the song “Amen” from the Sidney Poitier film, Lilies of the Field. Hairston died January 18, 2000, at the age of 98.

source:http://www.singers.com/choral/jesterhairston.html

Atlanta, Georgia

The New Life Inspirational Gospel Choir (New Life) was founded in August of 1984 by the Reverend Jonathan Alvarado, a graduate of Morehouse College and presently the pastor of Total Grace Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. He was succeeded by the Rev. Sirdelrol Vonzel Drayton, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, who also attended Morehouse College.

Under the leadership of Rev. Drayton, New Life grew from a mere eight members to nearly 100 dedicated voices. From his directorship sprang forth many dedicated assistant directors, including Ms. Stephanie Pugh, Rev. James Fields, Ms. JoAnn Carrington, Mr. William Durham, Mr. Andre Harrison, and Min. George Luster IV. In March, 1993, Rev. Drayton was succeeded by Rev. Jeronn C. Williams, then a student and now a graduate of Morehouse College and the Pastor of the New Life International Family Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

From its founding to the present, the spirit of ministry has been deeply embedded into the hearts of the members of the New Life Inspirational Gospel Choir. They presently have members representing the entire Atlanta University Center, which includes Morehouse College, Spelman College,Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, and the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, also members from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Metropolitan College, Georgia Perimeter College, Luther Rice Seminary, and Devry University.

Source:REUTERS/Jim Young

“In an unexpected move, Obama has told White House aides that instead of joining a congregation in Washington, D.C., he will follow in George W. Bush’s footsteps and make his primary place of worship Evergreen Chapel, the nondenominational church at Camp David.”

The reasons may surprise you.
TIME/CNN story By Amy Sullivan

Juneteenth celebration in Austin, June 19, 1900. PICA 05476,
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.