Historic Black Church in Northern Virginia Cancels Kennedy Center Concert Over Trump Changes

A historic Black church in Northern Virginia will no longer offer an annual Christmas concert at the Kennedy Center, the latest in a wave of cancellations since President Trump replaced the center’s board of directors.

Alfred Street Baptist Church, founded in 1803 in Alexandria, joins a growing list of Black and LGBTQ-friendly acts that have cut ties with the arts institution after Mr. Trump became its chairman last week.

The Rev. Howard-John Wesley, the church’s senior pastor, said he informed his congregation of the decision on Sunday “after deep prayer, discernment and a commitment to staying true to our mission as a church.”

Supporters of the president’s changes noted Alfred Street’s history of liberal politics.

Gregory T. Angelo, president of the right-leaning New Tolerance Campaign, pointed to past social media posts from Mr. Wesley that “equated people who didn’t mask during COVID with the KKK and admonished evangelical leaders who support President Trump.”

“This is the same church that preached a sermon from the pulpit called ’Stay Woke,’” Mr. Angelo said. “This is a classic case of a preacher in search of a spotlight.”

The Times has reached out to the Kennedy Center and the White House for comment.

A flurry of firings, condemnations and canceled subscriptions have unfolded over the past week as Mr. Trump’s team takes a chainsaw to five years of diversity, equity and inclusion-based arts programs.

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Artists connected to diversity-focused programs have objected strongly to the new direction. Opera star Renée Fleming and alternative rock singer Ben Folds resigned from advisory roles at the center.

Other acts cutting ties to the Kennedy Center include actress Issa Rae, television producer Shonda Rhimes, Canadian LGBTQ singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume and Philadelphia rock band Low Cut Connie.

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