Historic Church in Seattle Hosts Renowned Former Smithsonian Curator

SEATTLE, WA – New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, located in Seattle’s historic Central District, will host renowned curator Eric Lewis Williams, Ph.D., as guest speaker for its 74th annual Founders Day commemoration on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 10:45 a.m. and at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Williams is the former curator of religion at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. He is an internationally renowned theologian who now serves as director of the Black Church Studies Program and assistant professor of theology at Duke University Divinity School.

At the Smithsonian, Williams curated the museum’s first exhibition devoted solely to religion entitled “Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism, and Popular Culture.” He is the co-author of the book Movements, Motions, Moments: Photographs of Religion and Spirituality from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He formerly taught African American Studies at Harvard University.  

“It is important to bring Dr. Eric Williams to the community because he brings with him resources and expertise that will help in our need for supplementary education for our people and our understanding of Black art and its origins” noted the Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jeffrey Sr., pastor of New Hope.