September Penn, M.Div.
Our feature this week is an amazing person and friend. I met September while working in seminary and we have remained friends ever since. Even before she began her Master’s program she already had accomplished so much, including starting Power of Song and travelling the world telling the story of the Civil Rights Movement through music and the arts. In addition to leading, September also served as our gospel choir director, where we had the opportunity to sing her original music. I’ll let her tell you the details, but I will say that her dopeness comes from more than her resume. Her big heart and deep love for her community, wisdom and insight she brings into the room, and overall joy and passion for life is why this diva is dope! Read more about September below.
September Penn, M.Div, CEO/Artistic Director, Worship Leader
Tell us who you are!
I am still discovering who I am. Here is what I know - I'm a singer/songwriter/worship leader. Music has been my medicine of choice my entire life. I believe music has helped to keep me sane. I produced my first recording in 2009, an album titled, "Hope for You." I am producing my third set of recordings in 2020. 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 named me a 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 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. And I have shared about our organization's work in Kenya, Africa; Tokyo, Japan as well as across the United States. 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. Lastly, but certainly not least, I am a wife and a mother of three young people. 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.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by women who fully embrace who they are...flaws and all. My mother inspires me. I watched her overcome depression, and learn to love herself so much that it pours out onto all who know her now. She embodies hospitality and relaxed joy. She is the funniest and sometimes the silliest Lady I know. She offers grand wisdom and sound advice, then she turns around and giggles at her own jokes. She truly inspires me to become more fully myself.
What are one or two lessons you carry with you each day?
Say "Thank you." I regularly say "Thank you, Lord, anyway." I say thank you even when the situation is not perfect. I could complain, and yes sometimes I do, but more often I tell myself to say "Thank you."
What are you working on?
I am currently working on an EP release called "Seminary Songs." These are literally songs that I've either written while in seminary or have had a great effect on me while in seminary. I am also working on an online platform for The Power of Song, Inc. We typically do live performances, but with the pandemic many of our plans have had to be put on hold. I am designing offerings that can be presented via webinar or the like.
How do you connect spirituality/religion in your work?
My work is born from my relationship with the Divine. Every lyric or melody that I hear is dropped and downloaded from God. Every scene that I have written or staged has been given by God. I "see" it in my head first, then I simply execute what I "see." My creations are often bathed in tears. I will literally be typing out a scene as it is being downloaded with tears flowing down my face. I often receive the beginnings of new works in prayer and meditation.
What is your go to dancing music?
As far as dancing, my weakness is anything "Go-Go." This is all East Coast (DC/MD/VA). Not very well known if you are not into Go-Go, but here is a sample of Rare Essence on NPR: . All this shows my age, but I'm cool with it.