{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://saaacam.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/9w08w39q4h/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Reverend James Amerson Interview"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/571/original/full-color_2x.png?1735841768","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Publisher"]},"value":{"en":["The African American Network TV (TAAN TV)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eReverend James Amerson of St. Paul United Methodist Church talks about his upbringing in San Antonio and journey to taking up ministry. He briefly touches on the role of religious organizations in higher education as well as how the African American community of San Antonio has progressed since the founding of St. Paul United Methodist Church 150 years prior in 1866. \u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Rights Statement"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eAll materials are for noncommercial educational or research uses only. 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He briefly touches on the role of religious organizations in higher education as well as how the African American community of San Antonio has progressed since the founding of St. Paul United Methodist Church 150 years prior in 1866. \u003c/p\u003e"]},"requiredStatement":{"label":{"en":["Attribution"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eAll materials are for noncommercial educational or research uses only. 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My name is Qui and I'm going to be your host this evening for 300 Voices in 300 Days. And we are here with Reverend James Amerson, that we're speaking with today. So how are you doing today?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  0:17\r\nI'm doing fantastic. \r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  0:18\r\nThank you so much for joining us today. So we can start off- just to give a little introduction to who you are, to our viewers here at TAAN TV. If you could tell us a little bit about yourself, where you were born, side of town did you grow up on, and–?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  0:32  \r\nWell, James Amerson and I am the pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church here in San Antonio. But I am a native, born on the East Side of San Antonio in Denver Heights, and a product of the public schools, going from elementary and graduating from Phyllis Wheatley High School.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  0:49  \r\nOkay. And so where did you attend college? Did you stay in San Antonio? Did you relocate for college? And what was your major? What- what was the next step in your path?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  1:00  \r\nJust like any young- like any young person, I wanted to get away from home. And so I ventured out. And I'm a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in marketing and sociology.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  1:12  \r\nOh, wow. That's- that's amazing. So- and then after college, what direction did you take with that degree? Did you- what did you decide to do as the next step on your path?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  1:23  \r\nWell, I thought I would be going to New York and working on Wall Street, but uh, this is where that mysterious thing called “call to ministry” comes in. And I sensed the call to ministry and came back to San Antonio for- for about a year before starting graduate school at ITC, Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where I finished my Master of Divinity. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  1:49  \r\nOkay. And so what would you say- the inspiration- where did that come behind your profession? I know you said you were called to ministry. Did anything happen? Or did you- you know, what inspires you to, kind of, go on this path?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  2:03  \r\nWell, for all of those who are used to being drug to church and told you can't have any concessions. I grew up in the church I am now pastoring. And so it was always this excitement at our church of the members who were larger than life, and- and looking up to these individuals, and they were always inspiring us to do better. And so I just believe it was just the nurturing of St. Paul church or any Black church, that- that gave me that inspiration.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  2:38  \r\nOkay. And so I know that you have done some volunteer work, and there's a master leadership program that you were a part of, maybe you can tell our viewers here at TAAN TV a little bit about that work that you did.\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  2:52  \r\nI- I do believe that part of my- my payment to life is service. And so community service is definitely a part of what I believe brings character not only to the individual giving, but in- in receiving from others. I just recently graduated from the thirteenth class of Masters Leadership Program. And it brings together leaders throughout the city who get to see the areas that most individuals don't, about the backdrop of what makes a city comes together. And so it's been a really, uh.. [pauses] motivational and educational piece to- to learn about civic, the medical, the military, and- and the arts and culture of San Antonio. \r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  3:48  \r\nOkay. Well, that's- that's great that you're doing that. That's very inspirational for some of our younger youth that’s coming up, to know that we have African American leaders out here making strides like that. So I know you also served on some- or set up some programs to help the youth and the elderly, as well as for projects that brought economic development. So maybe you can tell us a little bit about that. And, you know, your work with that, as well.\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  4:19  \r\nSo with- with me being a United Methodist pastor, one of my connections is to higher education. There are four historically Black universities that are part of United Methodist Church in this geographical area, one being Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. And so I like to have that connection of the church to–\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  4:43\r\nTo education.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  4:43\r\n–the academy. And- and sometimes the church has disconnected from the academy and- and that's where most of our historically Black colleges were organized. So, education is- is really one of those strong areas that I would like to inspire all of our young people to- to learn as much as you can and- and to be lifelong learners, is really what keeps us going. But through Boy Scouts, the United Negro College Fund, and campus ministry are some of the areas that I- I like to see myself being involved in and inspiring people.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  5:25  \r\nThat's great. And you mentioned the United Methodist colleges. I know you're involved in getting some great exposure for them. What are the- some of the other colleges and- that you've worked with? Or I know that you brought one of the choirs from one of those colleges during Black History Month to your church, so–\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  5:45  \r\nThe premier colleges all are really great, but the Wiley College a cappella choir is world-renowned. And there are alumni here in San Antonio that helped also to- to bring them down as a recruitment, but also fundraising for those institutions. But Philander Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard University in New Orleans are the other three HBCUs. \r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  6:14  \r\nOkay. Well, that's great. And I know that your church, that you pastor, is the first African American of–some of our viewers here may not know this–the first African American and the only Methodist church, the oldest church here in San Antonio. Is that correct?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  6:28  \r\nYes. Organized in 1866, St. Paul is the oldest organized Black congregation in San Antonio. Just celebrating our 150th anniversary, you know, last year.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  6:43  \r\nWell, congratulations on that. \r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  6:45\r\nThat- that's–\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  6:45\r\nThat’s something to be very proud of. \r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  6:46\r\n–a milestone.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  6:47\r\nThat's a huge milestone.\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  6:48  \r\nIt is. And- and I can only tell you just in those 150 years, the- the number of individuals who have had a pathway through that church on a national level, as well as some in the state of Texas. The first licensed Black plumber, the first African American that did surgery in all of the operating rooms here in San Antonio. So these were the individuals that I looked up to in- in growing up in St. Paul. And- and I definitely believe that that legacy needs to continue and inspire another generation, or a couple of generations, in- in aspiring to be all that God would have them be.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  7:32  \r\nYes. And I know you're very involved in making sure that you continue that legacy of St. Paul, and all the work that you're doing, the volunteering, programs that you're doing, giving back to the community. With that being said, what inspired you to give back to the community? I know you said you saw these, you know, inspirational people as you were growing up. What inspired you to give back to the community? \r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  7:56  \r\nWell, growing up in Denver Heights and walking to church and- and seeing the skyline of downtown San Antonio is- is like that inspiration. In the area around the church were minority-owned hotels, cleaners, barbers, beauticians, bakeries, funeral homes. And- and a lot of those business are now are gone, but the church still stands there and the sky rise of downtown is still there. I would like to see St. Paul and- collaborate with the city, the county and- and any other civic and nonprofit to- to bring some of that economic development back. It's sad to not see these businesses in the neighborhood anymore. But that was the perseverance of- of a generation that I would love to see come back and- and start being in- entrepreneurs again.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  8:59  \r\nOkay. So what do you like most about San Antonio? You just told us a little bit about your history and where you grew up and what side of town. What would you say you like most overall about San Antonio and being from here and living here?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  9:14  \r\nSo I believe San Antonio’s diversity is what really makes it unique culturally, the arts, just the people. With the military bases, you always got a- a flavor of- of the whole world here in San Antonio. But of course, the- the San Antonio Spurs is number one. \r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  9:41\r\n[laughs] No one's mentioned them just yet. \r\n\r\n\r\n[mutual laughter]\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  9:44\r\nBut yeah, I'm a Spurs fan through and through. But the Riverwalk and- and lots of the expansion in the parks–\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  9:53  \r\nWe have such rich history here, and culture as well, with your church, you know, being the first African American and only Methodist Black church. So that's also some history there, as well.\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  10:05  \r\nI’d like to say that we are part of that history of San Antonio. And- and we're unfolding even more mysteries and history in- in the archives of the church. And again, with this being the- the tricentennial for the city, we're proud to say that 150 years, we were a part of the history of San Antonio. \r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  10:29  \r\nOkay, and what would you say, besides being a community leader and giving back, you're most known for in San Antonio?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  10:37  \r\nJust working with elderly and children. That- that's my heartbeat. And seeing that, through intergenerational connections, we pass on a legacy, but in doing that, we also inspire our seniors to know that they really have left an impact in the life of- of young people and- and another generation. So I like to be that bridge or that conduit, and part of that.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  11:08  \r\nOkay. Well, thank you so much for speaking with us today. I know that you're making a great footprint in the community for all your hard work and dedication, continuing on for our- the legend in our culture, you know, as we continue to move forward. And it's very important for ou- for that- for our history, as well. So why would you say it's important for us to tell our own stories? Maybe to our viewers here at TAAN TV or for– I know you said your- the youth is, you know, your heart as well as the elderly. So why do you feel it is important for us to tell our own stories?\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  11:42  \r\nYour story is- is your part of God's plan. And if you can't tell your story, then you miss out a major piece in the puzzle of God's purpose. And so tell your story, be genuine, and- and be unapologetic that God has created you- who you are.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  12:04  \r\nI 100% agree. Well, thank you so much for speaking with us, Reverend Emerson, and joining us for 300 Voices in 300 Days and continuing to be a community leader and advocate and giving back. I think that's really important in inspiring others to do the same. \r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  12:22\r\nI am honored.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  12:22\r\nSo thank you for speaking with us.\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Amerson  12:23\r\nThank you so much. You’re welcome.\r\n\r\n\r\nQui McKinley  12:24\r\nSo this has been Qui here at TAAN TV. Thank you for watching us today. Continue to watch us for 300 Voices in 300 Days, as we continue on to speak with more impactful and in- influential leaders throughout the community of San Antonio.\r\n\r\n\r\nTranscribed by https://otter.ai","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://saaacam.aviaryplatform.com/collections/2808/collection_resources/127835/file/239695#t=0.0,766.6659"}]}]}]}