By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Renowned documentarian and scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. reveals his latest work, “Gospel,” a captivating four-hour docuseries premiering on PBS on Sunday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 13.
KVIE on Tuesday hosted a public screening and panel discussion on the groundbreaking documentary, which delves into the profound history of Black spirituality, tracing its evolution through the influence of music and sermon.
“This documentary is so needed to bring us back to understanding the very foundation of gospel music,” said Bishop Parnell Lovelace, senior pastor at Center of Praise Ministries and one of three panelists. “And it brings about the questions that need to be asked in a day that we live in now. I believe that what we see through gospel music and what we hear through gospel music is still needed today for every generation.”
Bishop Lovelace’s fellow panelists also were esteemed Sacramento church leaders: Dr. Phillip Goudeaux, the visionary founder of Calvary Christian Center; and Senior Pastor Les Simmons of South Sacramento Christian Center. Following the screening, they discussed the documentary’s far-reaching impact. “Studio Sacramento” host Scott Syphax moderated.
The panelists delved into Black gospel music’s historical significance, its unique sound and the pivotal role it played during the civil rights movement, and drew parallels to its role in contemporary civil unrest. The discourse also scrutinized the evolution of gospel music, emphasizing its adaptability and service to the younger generation.
Pastor Simmons praised the documentary for its effectiveness in capturing “the heart of gospel music in the Black church.”
“It complemented the role that music plays in a message for a pastor,” he said. “It is worth everyone watching, seeing, pausing and reflecting on the genre of music or timeframe of music that has impacted their lives.”
Soulful performances by the Genesis Gospel Choir, led by Rev. Dr. Tecoy Porter, bookended the evening, the group closing with a lively, audience-incorporating performance of “Oh Happy Day.”
“Gospel” not only promises to be a visual feat, but a thought-provoking journey through the experience of Black spirituality, where the fusion of sermons and music has been instrumental in shaping history and inspiring change. As the series unfolds, audiences can anticipate a profound exploration of the culture through gospel music that defines the Black spiritual experience.
“Gospel music [is] not just music to get us ready for heaven, but it’s music that helps us to live on Earth,” Bishop Lovelace said.