“Fresh Start” concert features area choirs, inspirational remarks by local leaders

“Fresh Start” concert features area choirs, inspirational remarks by local leaders
Posted on 08/18/2021
Fresh Start

South Bend Schools Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer, featured speakers at event celebrating families helped by last year’s expungement process

The “Fresh Start Inspiration Concert” will take place on Saturday, August 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Century Center’s Bendix Theater in South Bend. Doors will open at 5:15 and the event is free. Pre-registration is recommended. Click here to pre-register.

Building on the success of last year’s Fresh Start expungement initiative, where more than 800 people had criminal records expunged and license-reinstatement fees waived, the Fresh Start Inspiration Concert celebrates those families helped by last year’s initiative and will provide details of this year’s expungement process.

“While outside influences will continue to impact us, individual decisions we make must be the most significant factors in what happens in our lives and the lives of our children,” said St. Joseph Circuit Court Magistrate Judge Andre Gammage, organizer of this year’s event. “The impact of events of the last 18 months -- COVID, civil unrest, institutional policies -- have been difficult on many people. This concert will provide some welcome inspiration, helping each of us to strive to be better.”

Attendees can enjoy music from graduates of South Bend Community Schools, featuring Charles Coleman; the Sweet Home Baptist Church Choir, led by Minister of Music Turrell O’Neal; and the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Choir, led by Minister of Music Jovan Lewis. Additionally, South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings, and SBCSC Chief Financial Officer Ms. Kareemah Fowler, will provide brief words of inspiration and encouragement.

Expungement and license waiver fee information will be provided.

Contact: Susan Guibert, Chief Communications Officer, [email protected].