Get in the groove

Staff enjoyed a meal and conversation at the Assembly Food Hall. Pictured: Bench row – Ashley Gish, Danny Mai, Elizabeth Peters, Lilla Marigza. Outer row - Dan Krause, Brenda Smotherman, Tom Kim, Tim Tanton, Philip Brooks, Steven Adair, Stacey Hagewood. (Photo by Helen Allen.)
Staff enjoyed a meal and conversation at the Assembly Food Hall. Pictured: Bench row – Ashley Gish, Danny Mai, Elizabeth Peters, Lilla Marigza. Outer row - Dan Krause, Brenda Smotherman, Tom Kim, Tim Tanton, Philip Brooks, Steven Adair, Stacey Hagewood. (Photo by Helen Allen.)
Staff gathered for good food and fellowship at the Assembly Food Hall. Pictured: Left side – Linda Bruner, David Jamieson. Right side – Lladale Carey, Greg Petree, Patty DelliBovi (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
Staff gathered for good food and fellowship at the Assembly Food Hall. Pictured: Left side – Linda Bruner, David Jamieson. Right side – Lladale Carey, Greg Petree, Patty DelliBovi (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
Craig Catlett, John Haney and Josh Mullenix (L-R) enjoyed a meal and conversation at the Assembly Food Hall. (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
Craig Catlett, John Haney and Josh Mullenix (L-R) enjoyed a meal and conversation at the Assembly Food Hall. (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
The National Museum of African American Music offered a warm welcome on a stormy day. (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
The National Museum of African American Music offered a warm welcome on a stormy day. (Photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
The National Museum of African American Music's lobby was filled with artistic musical expressions. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
The National Museum of African American Music's lobby was filled with artistic musical expressions. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Staff gathered for an introduction prior to starting their museum visit. (Photo by Helen Allen.)
Staff gathered for an introduction prior to starting their museum visit. (Photo by Helen Allen.)
The staff were given an overview of the galleries available to explore at the National Museum of African American Music. (Top image by Lilla Marigza. Bottom images by Aaron Crisler.)
The staff were given an overview of the galleries available to explore at the National Museum of African American Music. (Top image by Lilla Marigza. Bottom images by Aaron Crisler.)
A display of local artist work was a first stop for many teammates including Linda Bruner, Aileen Jimenez, Helen Allen, Chilima Karima and Lilla Margiza. (Photos with staff by Helen Allen. Hendrix image taken by Lilla Marigza.)
A display of local artist work was a first stop for many teammates including Linda Bruner, Aileen Jimenez, Helen Allen, Chilima Karima and Lilla Margiza. (Photos with staff by Helen Allen. Hendrix image taken by Lilla Marigza.)
The art gallery featured a Jackson 5 era Michael Jackson piece. It was pixilated image from afar, but when viewed from the side or up-close you could see the image was constructed using a wide variety of action figures. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
The art gallery featured a Jackson 5 era Michael Jackson piece. It was pixilated image from afar, but when viewed from the side or up-close you could see the image was constructed using a wide variety of action figures. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Staff explored the galleries at the National Museum of African American Music. (Images by Aaron Crisler.)
Staff explored the galleries at the National Museum of African American Music. (Images by Aaron Crisler.)
The team spent time listening and exploring the galleries. (Listening station photos by Aaron Crisler. Gallery photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
The team spent time listening and exploring the galleries. (Listening station photos by Aaron Crisler. Gallery photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Aileen Jimenez showed off her inner rockstar in the sample studio. Diane Maloney, Helen Allen, Tom Kim, Chilima Karima and David Jamieson rose a joyful noise with a virtual choir filming. (Left and lower photo by Aaron Crisler. Top photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
Aileen Jimenez showed off her inner rockstar in the sample studio. Diane Maloney, Helen Allen, Tom Kim, Chilima Karima and David Jamieson rose a joyful noise with a virtual choir filming. (Left and lower photo by Aaron Crisler. Top photo by Brenda Smotherman.)
Staff explored the galleries at the National Museum of African American Music. (Images by Brenda Smotherman.)
Staff explored the galleries at the National Museum of African American Music. (Images by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)
Exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. (Photos by Brenda Smotherman.)

Last month, in honor of Black History Month, the staff had the opportunity to fellowship and experience a sensory historical journey together.

To start off the festivities, staff gathered at the Assembly Food Hall where they feasted on delicious food and were able to catch up, reminisce, and enjoy some laughs.

Then it was onto The National Museum of African American Music. Per their website it is “the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.”

We began with an immersive film experience in the Roots Theater and then were able to explore the six galleries at our own pace.

Several of our staff members enjoyed their museum experience so much that they have or are now becoming members.

Big thanks to Helen Allen for coordinating the day’s activities on our behalf.

If you weren’t able to join the team event, we’d encourage you to explore the museum on your own in the future. You can get information to plan your visit at: https://nmaam.org/

Whether you were able to attend or not, we hope you’ll enjoy this photo gallery from this team excursion.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved