A Community Mourns the Loss of Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was a champion for the schools and churches in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, and nearby East Orange,  including the New Hope Baptist Church and the Franklin School which was later renamed to the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts.  Shown here, Michele Richardson wipes a tear as she talks about the death of Whitney Houston and the effect it has on the congregation of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston attended as a child.  As a young girl, Houston sang in the church choir and had been active with the congregation ever since. On Sunday, February 12th, 2012, members of her community mourned the loss of this legendary talent.