17-02-2025
Church cancels Christmas performance at Kennedy Center following center changes
ALEXANDRIA, Va. () — (ASBC) said Monday that it was joining the list of groups that no longer would do business with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The church, which says it is one of the oldest and largest African American Baptist congregations in the country, decided it would not host its annual Christmas performance at the center. In explaining its decision, ASBC stated that it believes, in part, that the new leadership's views are in 'opposition to the Kennedy Center's long-standing tradition of honoring artistic expression across all backgrounds.'
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The change in leadership came after President Donald Trump said was replacing several members of the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and his subsequent election as chairman.
In addition to entire groups indicating they no longer would appear at the Kennedy Center, individual entertainers, including Isse Rae, canceled performances.
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Other big names in the entertainment industry cut ties with the Kennedy Center. Shoda Rhimes, creator of television shows including 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Scandal,' who served on the board resigned her position.
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You can read the full statement shared by Alfred Street Baptist Church below:
After prayerful consideration, deliberation, and discerning, the Alfred Street Baptist Church, one of the oldest and largest African American Baptist Churches in the nation, has made the difficult decision to cancel hosting its annual Christmas performance at the Kennedy Center. We believe that the new leadership's opposition to the Kennedy's Center's long standing tradition of honoring artistic expression across all backgrounds is misaligned with our unwavering commission to proclaim and practice the transformative and redemptive love of Jesus, to pursue justice, to promote equality, to embrace the gift of diversity, and to care for all of creation. We are actively exploring other venues where we can continue to share our witness of the birth of Jesus Christ in the excellence and prophetic tradition of the Black Church.
Alfred Street Baptist Church
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