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TSU’s New Direction Gospel Choir Takes Center Stage at 57th Dove Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University made a major showing in its hometown as the university’s world-renowned New Direction Gospel Choir took the stage at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Bridgestone Arena. The live recording of gospel music’s biggest night will air nationwide on Friday, Oct. 9.

Justin Butler has been the Director of New Direction for more than 16 years. (Photo by Aaron Grayson)

The student ensemble delivered a powerful performance alongside Dove and Grammy Award-winning gospel sensation Tasha Cobbs Leonard, captivating the audience with their rich vocal harmonies and spiritual energy.

“Last night was pure magic,” said Justin Butler, director of the New Direction Gospel Choir. “The energy from the crowd was radiating, and bringing that worship experience to life alongside Tasha Cobbs Leonard was an incredible milestone for our students. We are deeply grateful to represent TSU on such a big stage.”

Tuesday’s production marked the choir’s fifth appearance on the Dove Awards broadcast. New Direction’s history at the ceremony includes past high-profile performances alongside Brian Courtney Wilson in 2014, Kirk Franklin in 2019, KB in 2021, and Pastor Mike Jr. in 2023.

The performance adds to New Direction’s history of artistic achievement. Beyond its regular appearances on national broadcasts, the ensemble has built an international reputation through global tours and multiple championship titles in national choir competitions.

The Dove Awards invitation underscores TSU’s continuing legacy as a cultural and artistic pillar both in Music City and across higher education.

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

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Emmanuel S. Freeman
Emmanuel S. Freeman is a strategic communications professional, former diplomat, and award-winning journalist with a wealth of global and institutional expertise. His background spans media, public relations, corporate regulation, and university relations. A fellow of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, where he focused on media ethics, Freeman holds degrees in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. His background in print media includes a stint as a reporter for The Washington Times, and a stringer for Reuters. He specializes in executive and corporate communication, news writing, and publication development. Beyond the newsroom, he navigated the complex energy regulation sector as an analyst for an energy firm in Washington, D.C., where he covered meetings of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In higher education, Freeman has held various roles, including interim director of university communications, publications manager, and grants and technical writer. As Communications Specialist at TSU, he collaborates across teams to manage media relations, strategic messaging, crisis communication, and brand development. He crafts and reviews content—from press releases and speeches to social media and PSAs—ensuring copy accuracy and consistency. With a deep passion for mentorship, Freeman takes pride in helping colleagues and mentees translate communication theory into real-world solutions. An avid reader and consummate professional, the Liberian native enjoys long-distance running and traveling. When not immersed in reading, writing, or making people laugh, he cherishes time with his growing number of grandchildren.