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.
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Worldwide Inspiration
Image Credit: StClair/Brown-Splash News Members of the community left cards, letters and flowers outside Whitney Houston's family church, the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, early on February 12th, 2012. An excerpt from this card reads, "From one of the millions of fans that truly loved her music, and she truly is an inspiration to everyone worldwide and right here in Newark."
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Life is Full of Questions: New Hope Baptist Church
Image Credit: StClair/Brown-Splash News Whitney Houston's family church, the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, holds a prayer service as the media gather outside on the morning after the singer was found dead in her hotel room in Los Angeles.
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Mourners Gather at New Hope Baptist Church
Image Credit: John W. Ferguson/Getty Images Mourner, Donna Thorn of Newark, New Jersey creates a memorial for singer Whitney Houston, at The New Hope Baptist Church on February 12th, 2012.
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New Hope Baptist Church Pastor Mourns Tragic Loss
Image Credit: AP Photo/Mel Evans New Hope Baptist Church Pastor Joe A. Carter talks about the death of Whitney Houston and the effect it has on the congregation of his church in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, February 12th, 2012.
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Prayer Service
Image Credit: StClair/Brown-Splash News Whitney Houston's family church, the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, holds a prayer service as the media gather outside on February 12th, 2012. Well wishers began leaving flowers outside the church gates early in the morning.
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‘The Greatest Songstress Ever’
Image Credit: StClair/Brown-Splash News Whitney Houston's family church, the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, holds a prayer service as the media gather outside. Well wishers began leaving flowers, letters and cards outside the church gates. This card is addressed to the "Family of Whitney Houston…The Greatest Songstress Ever!"
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Franklin School in East Orange
Image Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage Whitney Houston was extremely active with the Franklin School, renamed the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, in East Orange, New Jersey. Here, Whitney Houston attends the renaming ceremony and speaks to the children attending the school on June 12th, 1997.
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Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts
Image Credit: Ron Galella/WireImage Whitney Houston embraces Clive Davis, who attended the renaming ceremony for the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts on June 12th, 1997.
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The Whitney E. Houston Academy
Image Credit: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images Carl Hamer and Principal Henry W. Hamilton, who was Whitney Houston's school principal, stand outisde the The Whitney E. Houston Academy in the midst of memorials dedicated to Houston on February 13th, 2012.