Meet September Penn, M.Div. | Artist-Theologian, Singer-Songwriter, Worship Pastor

We had the good fortune of connecting with September Penn, M.Div. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi September, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
It’s all about relationships. We should be mindful of how we treat people. The first impression is important, but it’s the lasting impression that will get you the invitation back. Strive to be excellent in your craft, but also in your intentions and actions. Most of my work is collaborative, so I must always consider the other players. If we can play well together, then the creative process will be more enjoyable, and that will show in the final product.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider myself an artist-theologian. I believe some of the best and most powerful pieces of art are born out of our responses to spiritual encounters as we reflect on our social circumstances. God is always speaking…to every situation. Sometimes we just need to be still enough to receive the word.

I love storytelling through theater and musical performance, and I believe I operate in the greatest flow when I’m working in the theater space. Theater work has taken me to Beijing, China, as the co-music director for a production with the National Theater Company of China, a play called “Passages of Martin Luther King.” The play was written by Dr. Clayborne Carson, a Stanford University history professor who was commissioned by Coretta Scott King to edit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s papers. Dr. Carson invited me to be his music director for his play. In addition to China, Dr. Carson picked me as the music director for the play in East Jerusalem and on the West Bank, where we performed under the auspices of the United States Department of State with the Palestinian National Theater as a cultural diplomacy mission.

That production led St. Petersburg (Fla.) College to commission my husband and me to create a song production to serve as the official kick-off event for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in St. Petersburg. We titled the project “Sounds of the Civil Rights Movement: The Power of Song.” We brought the production to stage in Florida and eventually to California before annual audiences that totaled as many as 4,000 people. To house the production and other theater, artistic projects, and youth mentoring, we created The Power of Song Inc., for which I serve as the CEO/Artistic Director.

In early 2020, The Power Song Inc., now in its fifth year, was contracted by the Beyonce Mass for me to serve as the music director and some of our musicians to provide music support for services in Claremont, Calif.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Washington, D.C. (Kennedy Center). And I have shared about our organization’s work in Kenya, Africa; Tokyo, Japan as well as across the United States.

This month I will be presenting my latest release for new music performance at the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (GMWA) virtual convention. I’m excited to share “Hallelujah (Come Bless the Lord)” at this renowned convention that honors the life and the work of the late and great Rev. James Cleveland.

I am also a pastor. I’ve avoided this title for years, but recently I’ve started leaning into what that really means for me. I am currently in the process of ordination through the PC(USA) church. I have received my first official call to pastor a church in Baldwin Hills, LA. I will begin this position in September 2021. I will carry with me my love for the creative arts as I hope to bring healing and help to revitalize the church, their families, and the surrounding community.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I am a wife and a mother of three young adults. These roles have often required me to put my own desires on hold so that I could be a supporter of others. I’m okay with that. God has preserved my youth, and my time is now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA is the best, and there are so many sights to see, things to do, and places to go!!

I’m a hiker, and one of the first things I would share would be a couple of my favorite hikes: Eaton Canyon Trails to the Falls, and the iconic Hollywood Sign hike.

I would begrudgingly take them down to Hollywood to let them walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I say begrudgingly because I would prefer not to have to deal with the traffic, but my guests have always loved it.

We would most definitely visit the Fashion District and do some wholesale shopping as well as take in a few food trucks.

I would love to take them to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s just such a great experience! I saw Earth, Wind, and Fire there and danced the night away to “September.” So much fun!!

After we hit the high tourist attractions, I would introduce them to some lovely hidden gems. I love Atwater Village. I’d take them to Bon Vivant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They excel at all three meals. Great service and the atmosphere is super chic yet chill. I would later take them to Eagle Rock to taste test the ‘best pizza ever’ at Casa Biana Pizza Pie. I’m in love with this pizza and their antipasto salads are also a win! Since we’re in Eagle Rock, we may as well go visit Colorado Donuts. My husband swears they are the BEST EVER!

I’m also a huge park person, so we would have a picnic at Brand Park in Glendale. (There is also a very cool hiking trail there!) I also recently was invited to a get-together at Lacy Park in San Marino. LOVELY!! We had the most wonderful time in such a beautiful setting.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, Ivan Penn. He is my biggest supporter and the one that I lean on the most. I would also like to recognize my children, Ivy (22), Isaiah (19), and Immanuel (18). They have been a source of inspiration to me, and I’m so very blessed as I watch them grow up to become fine human beings. I am also so very thankful for all of my colleagues and sojourners at Fuller Theological Seminary. I received deposits from all of the artists, theologians, and scholars who crossed my path. They each participated in my formation, and for this, I am eternally grateful.

Website: https://thepowerofsong.org/september-penn

Instagram: septemberpenn

Linkedin: September Penn

Twitter: septembersings

Facebook: September Penn

Youtube: https://youtu.be/SEXPq99SM_k

Image Credits
Boyzell Hosey, Kenny Irby, Eric Tai, Uncommon Voices, Fuller Chapel, Calvin Worship Symposium, Fuse Music Project