Historically Black Virginia Union University has announced the establishment of the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at the university. The academic center is the first of its kind in the United States. It will provide education and resources to help musicians and budding gospel artists to learn the cultural and business aspects of gospel music and the industry. Courses will be available to all Virginia Union students. A variety of certification courses related to work in the industry will also be available to the general public.
Hezekiah Walker is a famed gospel music artist and pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Brooklyn. He is currently a second-year student of the Virginia Union University’s Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology. “The strong theological training I’ve received here at Virginia Union during the past two years has helped to shape my ministry,” Walker said. “My goal is to give back to the school that has poured so much into me, by helping emerging gospel artists learn the business, as well as theological aspects of the gospel music industry.”
Students will learn through the study of sacred arts and how it relates to African heritage; explore music and worship traditions that promote understanding of biblical texts in faith-building; and participate in several planned live recordings to be produced under the direction of Hezekiah Walker and choir director and award-winning gospel producer, Elder J. David Bratton.
This newly created center does not pass the smell test on numerous levels. On the surface and optically speaking, this gives the appearance of a Direct Conflict from a purely academic and administrative standpoint. Walker should have made this sort of contribution AFTER he completed his degree. Sounds really suspect.