The life of South Carolina state Sen. Clementa Pinckney will be celebrated Friday morning, with President Barack Obama delivering the eulogy for the Democrat, who was also pastor of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
The Root will be live-streaming the event, which will begin at 11 a.m. at the TD Arena at the College of Charleston. The burial will take place after the service at the St. James AME Church in Marion, S.C.
Pinckney was one of nine people who lost their lives in last Wednesday’s massacre, allegedly at the hands of Dylann Storm Roof. This week South Carolinians have been joined by others around the country in celebrating Pinckney’s life and service to his country and community.
The first lady, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden are all also expected to attend the funeral.
In a joint statement by the Bidens after last week’s shooting, Pinckney was described as “a good man, a man of faith, a man of service who carried forward Mother Emanuel’s legacy as a sacred place promoting freedom, equality and justice for all.”