Visual artist/activist who created the Praise House Project, Charmaine Minniefield and producer of the the Praise House Project, "The Gathering," Kemi Bennings both joined On Point with Juandolyn Stokes to share the meaning and the motivation behind this project rooted in African American history.
"Recalling Freedom, The Praise House Project is a visual art installation I created over a few years that uplifts African American history and communities," said Minniefield.
According to Minniefield, a praise house is a wooden structure that was used for worship and gatherings in the coastal regions during enslavement.
The first Praise House was located in Oakland Cemetery in 2021 to acknowledge 879 unmarked graves that had been moved to an African American burial ground.
The Praise House at Emory University is located next to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at 1660 N. Decatur Rd. and it acknowledges the African American history of the school back to slavery.
The project was funded by the National Endowment of the Arts.
"Holding our narratives is everything! It's a way to engage young people and show them art as a career path," said Minniefield.
The community is invited to examine history while encouraging historic and cultural preservation as acts of repair within the context of race, diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Gathering: A Homecoming Opening Event begins October 19 at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church from 7-9 p.m. The Praise House exhibit runs through Dec. 20. The event is free and open to the public.
