Welcome to the second episode of a special live taping of the Emunah
Podcast, recorded at the historic 15th Avenue Baptist Church in
Nashville, Tennessee. This sacred space holds deep meaning for host Dr.
Tamara Henry, whose grandfather, Rev. W. R. Murray, served as the
churchs second pastor for 24 years.
This two-part live podcast event explores the theme Legacy, Memory,
and Erasure. It brings together descendants of Rev. Murray and his son, Walter
R. Murray Jr., a trailblazing leader at Vanderbilt University, to
reflect on how communities remember, preserve, and carry forward their stories.
Episode 2: Stewards of Community
In this episode, a dynamic panel examines the power of legacy in the
Black community, with special attention to the role of Black churches as
guardians of memory, dignity, and justice.
The conversation explores how faith communities, educational
institutions, and entrepreneurs help preserve history while resisting
efforts to erase or sanitize difficult truths. From the pulpit to the classroom
to the marketplace, this discussion highlights how memory, faith, and
activism intersect to strengthen community resilience across generations.
Dr. Harris is a professor at Vanderbilt University Divinity School
and the recently retired president of Nashvilles historic American Baptist
College. Under his leadership, the college received Congressional
recognition as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
A member of 15th Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Harris is nationally
recognized as one of the most influential theological educators and scholars
in the Black church tradition, known for his work advancing prophetic
Christianity and social justice.
Since 1988, he has led the Divinity Schools Kelly Miller Smith
Institute on Black Church Studies, which has gained national acclaim as the
only institute of its kind with a $1.8 million endowment dedicated to Black
Dr. Harris is the author of Ministry for Social Crisis: Theology and
Praxis in the Black Church Tradition (Mercer University Press). His essay The
Children Have Come to Birth: The Black Churchs Theological Response for
Survival and Quality of Life received national recognition in the
anthology Walk Together Children: Black and Womanist Theologies, Church, and
His work also includes the essay The Black Church Influence on
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written in support of the PBS documentary on the
German theologian. Dr. Harris has received national recognition and awards for
his scholarship and writing on race, human rights, and global justice.
Rev. Ronnie Simmons is the founder and pastor of House of Faith
Christian Center, a non-denominational church in
Smyrna, Tennessee.
Through Ronnie Simmons Ministries, he leads an evangelistic
outreach that includes House of Power, a weekly national teleconference
Bible study that provides spiritual encouragement and practical teaching.
Rev. Simmons is also the author of 3Bs That Do Not Sting!: The 3-Step
Process to Christian Discipleship. He is the grandson of Rev. W. R.
Murray, continuing a family legacy of ministry and faith leadership.
Eric Murray is a Nashville entrepreneur and community leader who
owns and operates several businesses, including Murray Filter Sales and
Service, Smoke Boys BBQ, Spokes-N-Vogues, Advantage Filter Manufacturing, and
Advantage Home Subscriptions.
As the great-grandson of Rev. W. R. Murray, Eric represents the
entrepreneurial and community-building spirit that carries family legacy into
new generations. He is the son of
Ernest and Margaret Murray.
Key Topics in This Episode
The role of Black churches in preserving history, identity, and dignity
How communities resist cultural erasure and protect their stories
The importance of memory, storytelling, and faith in sustaining Black legacy
How institutions like Vanderbilt University and American Baptist College
honor the pioneers who helped shape them
The intersection of faith, scholarship, and entrepreneurship in
building resilient communities
Encourage the teaching and preservation of Black history in churches and local communities
Support policies and initiatives that address systemic injustice and historical
erasure
Document family and community stories to protect cultural memory for future generations
Memory is resistance, says Dr. Harris.
We are more than conquerors, says Rev. Simmons.
Never give up. Always pursue your dreams," says Eric Murray.Emunah listeners, we would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts,
feedback, and ideas for future podcast episodes.
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