Category: Birmingham

Birmingham /

USHER AND CHRIS BROWN: THE R&B TOUR STARTS THIS SUMMER

GRAMMY Award-winning icons Chris Brown and USHER today, officially announce dates for The R&B Tour, a 2026 co-headlining stadium run across North America. Uniting two of the genre’s defining hitmakers, the tour will deliver a must-see run of performances across the U.S. and Canada. The artists surprised fans last week with a joint teaser commercial on Instagram, sparking widespread excitement and anticipation for the upcoming trek.

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Produced by Live Nation, the 33-date outing kicks off on Friday, June 26 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, making stops in major cities including Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston and Miami before wrapping up on Friday, December 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The tour will also partner with Global Citizen to provide access to quality education for children around the world by donating $1 for every ticket sold to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

This massive live spectacle follows on the heels of record-breaking accomplishments for both artists. At the end of 2024, the North American leg of USHER: Past, Present, Future sold over 1.1M tickets, featuring 62 sold out shows, with multiple nights in each city, followed by an equally impressive European leg.

Last October, Chris Brown officially wrapped his sold-out BREEZY BOWL XX WORLD TOUR, capping off a massive international run celebrating the 20th anniversary of his career. The trek marked Brown’s highest-grossing to date and has become the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo Black American male artist, earning nearly $300 million and drawing 2 million fans across stadiums in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with Citi presale (details below) beginning Tuesday April 21 followed by The R&B Tour Presale on Thursday April 23. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Monday, April 27 at 12pm local time on RaymondAndBrownTour.com.

Make sure to sign up for The R&B Tour Presale by April 21 at 10pm ET. Anyone who signs up for the presale can join, no code needed. To sign up for the The R&B Tour Presale, you must be a Live Nation All Access member – you can join for free when signing up for the presale HERE or by visiting livenation.com/allaccess.

CITI PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the The R&B Tour in the United States. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning on Tuesday, April 21 at 12pm local time until Wednesday, April 22 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, invitation to a behind the scenes tour, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merchandise & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

WHAT PRESS IS SAYING:

“R&B enthusiasts will love this“ – USA Today

“…the pairing of Usher and Brown signals a major moment for contemporary R&B.” – Black Enterprise

“…anticipation building for what could be one of the year’s biggest live music events.” – TheGrio

THE RAYMOND & BROWN TOUR 2026 DATES:

Fri, Jun 26 | Denver, CO | Empower Field at Mile High

Tue, Jun 30 | Minneapolis, MN | U.S. Bank Stadium

Thu, Jul 2 | Detroit, MI | Ford Field

Fri, Jul 3 | Detroit, MI | Ford Field

Tue, Jul 7 | Cleveland, OH | Huntington Bank Field

Fri, Jul 10 | Washington, DC | Northwest Stadium

Sat, Jul 11 | Washington, DC | Northwest Stadium

Fri, Jul 17 | Charlotte, NC | Bank of America Stadium

Tue, Jul 21 | St. Louis, MO | The Dome at America’s Center

Sat, Jul 25 | Nashville, TN | Nissan Stadium

Tue, Jul 28 | Birmingham, AL | Protective Stadium

Sat, Aug 1 | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome

Fri, Aug 7 | East Rutherford, NJ | MetLife Stadium

Sat, Aug 8 | East Rutherford, NJ | MetLife Stadium

Tue, Aug 11 | Toronto, ON | Rogers Stadium

Wed, Aug 12 | Toronto, ON | Rogers Stadium

Mon, Aug 17 | Boston, MA | Gillette Stadium

Fri, Aug 21 | Chicago, IL | Soldier Field

Fri, Aug 28 | San Francisco, CA | Levi’s Stadium

Sat, Sep 5 | Las Vegas, NV | Allegiant Stadium

Sun, Sep 6 | Las Vegas, NV | Allegiant Stadium

Thu, Sep 10 | Dallas, TX | AT&T Stadium

Fri, Sep 25 | Los Angeles, CA | SoFi Stadium

Sat, Sep 26 | Los Angeles, CA | SoFi Stadium

Tue, Sep 29 | Glendale, AZ | State Farm Stadium

Sat, Oct 3 | El Paso, TX | Sun Bowl Stadium

Mon, Oct 5 | San Antonio, TX | Alamodome

Fri, Oct 9 | Houston, TX | NRG Stadium

Sat, Nov 7 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Sun, Nov 8 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Fri, Nov 20 | New Orleans, LA | Caesars Superdome

Thu, Dec 3 | Miami, FL | Hard Rock Stadium

Fri, Dec 11 | Tampa, FL | Raymond James Stadium

ABOUT CHRIS BROWN

Chart topping, multi-Platinum artist Christopher Maurice Brown is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. The RCA Records signee is regarded as one of the most prominent artists in R&B music, being credited as an evolver of the genre, and often being referred to by contemporaries as the “King of R&B.” His R&B has been characterized by several influences from other genres, mainly pop music and hip hop. To date, Chris Brown currently stands as the R&B singer with the most Hot 100 entries in Billboard history and is in the top 10 of all artists across all genres with the most RIAA multi-Platinum certifications. His latest tour, Breezy Bowl XX, is Brown’s best-selling and highest-grossing tour to date, and also became the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo Black American male artist, earning nearly $300 million and drawing 2 million fans across stadiums in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Brown’s lyrics develop predominantly over emotional and hedonistic themes. Brown has had wide comparisons to Michael Jackson for his singing and dancing abilities, as well as for his stage presence.

ABOUT USHER

USHER has changed music, culture, and countless lives. The multiple GRAMMY Award-winning diamond-selling international megastar, actor, dancer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist inspires change yet again.

Beyond selling over 80 million records worldwide and collecting dozens of awards, he has simultaneously lit up the small screen on NBC’s The Voice and the big screen in blockbusters such as Hustlers. He has also tirelessly distinguished himself as a devout humanitarian, raising tens of millions of dollars for various causes and uplifting youth via his New Look Foundation. Since 1999 he has been providing opportunities for young people in underserved communities and enabling them to flourish and achieve seemingly impossible dreams. A long-time supporter and Global Citizen Ambassador, USHER has performed at events since 2015 raising awareness to defeat poverty, defend the planet, and demand equity. A true outlier, he was equally at home on the stage of his sold-out My Way Las Vegas residency as he was on a 2016 government cultural mission to Cuba as part of President Barack Obama’s Presidential Committee for Arts and Humanities. In 2024 he celebrated 30 years as an entertainer, releasing his ninth studio album, COMING HOME and was the headline performer at Super Bowl LVIII. USHER: Past, Present, Future’s US & international tour sold over a million tickets with 62+ sold out shows and multiple nights in each city.

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From Alabama A&M to NYFW: Kim West Elevates Southern Voices in Fashion

Kim West, fashion influencer, dynamic speaker, and founder/publicist of The Kimberly West Agency, proudly attended New York Fashion Week as a media representative for her renowned digital platform, Style + Life + Fashion Blog.

In addition to covering the week’s most notable runway shows, presentations, and style moments, West represented her PR agency at exclusive fashion events, further cementing her role as a bridge between brand storytelling, fashion journalism, and public relations.

A proud graduate of Alabama A&M University’s Apparel Merchandising and Design Department—holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees—West has built a career at the intersection of style, culture, and communications. Her unique perspective as both a fashion professional and media strategist allows her to amplify designers, brands, and creative voices with authenticity and impact.

“Attending New York Fashion Week is always an inspiring experience. It’s an opportunity not only to highlight the artistry of global designers but also to represent the innovation and creativity coming from the South—especially from my alma mater, Alabama A&M University,” said West.

Through her work with Style + Life + Fashion Blog, West continues to deliver insider coverage of the latest industry trends while championing diversity, entrepreneurship, and accessible fashion. Meanwhile, as founder of The Kimberly West Agency, she leverages her expertise in PR and brand strategy to help lifestyle and fashion brands expand their reach and visibility.

About Kim West

Kim West is a fashion influencer, speaker, publicist, and founder of The Kimberly West Agency. She is also the creator of Style + Life + Fashion Blog, a leading digital platform for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle coverage. With academic training in apparel merchandising and design from Alabama A&M University, West has built a career at the forefront of fashion media and public relations. 

Follow Kim on social media:  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok 

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Bring Bridgerton-Inspired Style to Your Summer Wardrobe with Ivy City Co. and Sif Jakobs

I hope you’re all caught up with Bridgerton Season 3 by now!  The show’s stunning fashion has inspired you to add some whimsical touches to your own wardrobe this summer, I have two perfect recommendations for you.

First, let’s talk about dresses. Ivy City Co. offers a wide range of beautiful, whimsical dresses in various sizes (XXS-5X), a perfect size inclusive brand for everyone this summer. You can emulate the show’s vibe by choosing dresses with statement puffed sleeves and loose fits. These comfy, casual dresses are perfect as house dresses, but they’re also stylish enough to wear out and about. Jewelry is also a major focus of the series’ aesthetic, and Sif Jakobs is the brand to help you curate your own collection. With a large variety of necklaces, earrings, and rings, you can add the perfect touch of elegance and drama to any outfit. Just as each character’s jewelry in Bridgerton tells a story, your new pieces can bring a bit of that magic to your own style.

So, if you’re ready to bring a bit of Bridgerton into your summer wardrobe, Ivy City Co. and Sif Jakobs have you covered!

Birmingham /

FemFest – Celebration of Women on International Women’s Day!

Celebrate International Women’s Day in style at FemFest – a one-day conference in Birmingham on March 8th! Join us for an empowering day filled with inspiration, networking, and invaluable insights from a lineup of exceptional speakers and thought leaders.

Date: March 8th, 2024

Location: Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex

Tickets: Starting at $97

Headliners include:

Dr. Heavenly Kimes (Bravo TV)

Dr. Jackie Walters (Bravo TV)

Dr. Jada Moore-Ruffin

Stormy Wellington (Multi-million Dollar Life & Business Coach)

Candace Holyfield-Parker (Med-spa Guru)

Octavia Conner (Finance Expert)

Charnita Horton and more!

Featured Topics:

  1. Financial Literacy
  2. Self-Care
  3. Investing
  4. Real Estate
  5. Business Development
  6. Brand Building
  7. Live Sound Bath

Why Attend FemFest?

Gain insights from successful women in various fields. Network with like-minded individuals. Empower yourself with knowledge on finance, self-care, and business.

Be inspired by stories of resilience and achievement.

FemFest is not just a conference; it’s an experience designed to uplift, empower, and connect women from all walks of life. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, professional, or someone passionate about personal growth, FemFest has something for everyone.

Secure your spot today and celebrate International Women’s Day in a meaningful way!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE

Birmingham /

Rival HBCUs Compete to Increase Blood Donations Ahead of 83rd Annual Magic City Classic #MCC23

The Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and Alabama State University Hornets are teaming up with the American Red Cross and kicking off their historic rivalry to see who can recruit the most blood donors during the sixth annual Magic City Classic Blood Drive, Oct. 23-24 at Alabama A&M in Huntsville, AL, and Oct. 24-25 at Alabama State in Montgomery, AL. All presenting donors will receive one free ticket to the Magic City Classic football game, and a commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last.

This epic battle takes place days before the two rival football teams clash on the gridiron for the 83rd annual Magic City Classic football game on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL, where the blood drive winner will be announced. Bragging rights are at stake for the school with the most blood donations collected.

Last year, Alabama State earned major bragging rights after collecting nearly 185 lifesaving blood donations and winning both the Magic City Classic Blood Drive and Magic City Classic football game. This year, it’s anyone’s game.

Since its inception in 2017, the Magic City Classic Blood Drive has collected nearly 700 units of lifesaving blood for patients. (A blood drive was not held in October 2020 due to COVID restrictions on on-campus activities and events.)  Yet, the philanthropic legacies of promoting blood donation at Alabama A&M and Alabama State began years before the first Magic City Classic Blood Drive.

“HBCUs have long served as incubators of excellence, with a culture of school spirit and healthy competition that makes positive impacts in our communities,” said Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical officer for the American Red Cross. “Blood drives like the Magic City Classic encourage a collaborative spirit that serve students in their collegiate and future professional endeavors, while also serving a patient population that depends on chronic blood transfusions today.”

Four students enrolled in the Red Cross HBCU Ambassador Leadership Program, sponsored by Delta Airlines, are also helping to add a little “magic” to the rivalry blood drives. Alexis Powell, a junior at Alabama A&M majoring in Biology (pre-med), Taniya Rainge, a senior at Alabama A&M double majoring in Biology and Computer Science, Alvin Jacobs, a junior at Alabama State majoring in Finance and Karsten Threatt, a senior linebacker on the Alabama State football team, majoring in physical education – are all helping their campuses gear up for the two-day competition by encouraging their peers, faculty, staff and local community to schedule an appointment to give blood in support of patients with sickle cell disease.

Quotes from HBCU Ambassadors at each school:

  • “I wish people knew the pain that patients with sickle cell disease have to endure every single day, and that one blood donation can help save their lives,” said Karsten Threat. “Many say they’re afraid of needles but for a patient with sickle cell who suffers with pain every day, a quick pinch is worth it.”

  • “Knowing that I can do my part to raise more awareness about the importance of blood donation is what compelled me to become a Red Cross HBCU Ambassador,” said Alexis Powell, a fifth-generation Alabama A&M student from Birmingham who spent much of her childhood visiting the campus. “I think some students are afraid to give blood because they are not familiar with the cause. I wish more people knew that one blood donation can help save up to three lives…and make someone’s life a little easier.”

To schedule an appointment to give at the Magic City Classic Blood Drive, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Alabama A&M University: 

October 23 – 24, 2023

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

4900 Meridian ST. N.

Huntsville, AL 35811

Alabama State University: 

October 24-25, 2023

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

915 Jackson ST.

Montgomery, AL 36104

Birmingham /

Access205- #1 Entertainment Guide in Birmingham: Orchestra Noir Returns to the Magic City

The Magic City welcomes Orchestra Noir, The Atlanta African-American Orchestra!  This exciting performance is scheduled for Friday, February 17th, 2023 at the Alabama Theater, located at 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

Orchestra Noir has high-energy reviews with audiences saying, “You will not be disappointed in the musical experience of this all-black symphony!”  With previous performances throughout the southeast, the magical sounds being played are infused with all genres of blues, classical, hip-hop, and jazz; definitely a treat for the city of Birmingham.  Directed by the conductor, composer, and arranger, Jason Ikeem Rodgers the Orchestra Noir performance has received numerous awards such as Best of Atlanta:  Classical Meets Contemporary.  Attendees are encouraged to have a good time; dance, relax, and sing to the melodic tunes.
Tickets to attend this must-see event can be purchased on Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $29 – $89 (and up.)  Don’t miss out on attending, click on the link here to purchase online.

Orchestra Noir was founded in 2016 by Maestro Jason Ikeem Rodgers. Through orchestral performance, Orchestra Noir celebrates the cultural achievements of African-American music pioneers across all genres of music including classical, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and R&B. Orchestra Noir has witnessed a meteoric rise to be one of the most talked about orchestras in the nation, as it continues to successfully bring orchestral music to a diverse audience in grand and spectacular fashion.

Awarded ‘Best of Atlanta: Classical Meets Contemporary’ by Atlanta Magazine, Orchestra Noir has worked on projects with global brands such as Time Warner, NBC Universal, Atlantic Records, Lionsgate, YouTube Music, BET, OWN Network, the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and countless more. In addition, Orchestra Noir has worked with international hip-hop stars 2Chainz, Migos, and 9x Grammy Award-winning super-producer Bryan-Michael Cox. Orchestra Noir has been covered in prominent media publications such as The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Good Day Atlanta, CBS Radio, The Atlanta Modern-Luxury, Birmingham Times, and many more.
Birmingham /

Civitas Celebrates First Anniversary with Free Event

Cheers to one year! Civitas restaurant and bar is marking its first anniversary with an evening of incredible wine and food Tonight, February 1st, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Enjoy top-notch wines from Rush Wines out of Irondale and delicious light bites from Civitas’ Chef Jamahl Payne. The event is free to attend, and guests are encouraged to continue the celebration with an intimate dinner, for which reservations are available from 5:00 pm.

Opened in February of 2022, Civitas was started by Tonya Jones and her husband, Bryan Combs, hoping to unite the community through the power of food. Civitas means ‘for the citizens’ and provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere for Birmingham residents to enjoy.

Birmingham /

Give Hope to Children this Holiday Season with Food Donations

Do your part this holiday season and help children in your community! Selena Rodgers Dickerson, President of SARCOR, LLC, is hosting Hope for the Holidays. This annual event serves as a networking function for the local business community while providing a medium to bring easy-to-open, non-perishable food for children who rely on daily school meals and would likely go without regular meals during the holiday break.

This year’s goal is to provide resources for the i3 Academy Food Pantry. In addition, attendees will be given the option to provide easy-to-open non-perishable food items, Publix gift cards, or monetary contributions that can be used at the school’s discretion.

SARCOR strives to do its part to curb child hunger and bridge the gap so children can focus on being children for Christmas.

The event will take place on Tuesday, December 6th, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at i3 Academy on 230 49th Street N., Birmingham, AL 35212.

Who: Selena Rodgers Dickerson, SARCOR, LLC

What: Hope for the Holidays

When: Tuesday, December 6th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: i3 Academy Elementary School Gymnasium Selena R. Dickerson is the president of SARCOR, LLC, located in Birmingham, Alabama. She strives to educate others on how to become successful business owners.

Her mission is to utilize her expertise to leverage strategic solution-based diverse, equitable, and inclusive initiatives through business endeavors, philanthropy, integrity, and spirituality.

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Shop til’ you drop! AdaChic Designs’ Latest Collection Has the Perfect Holiday Handbags

The Holiday season is quickly approaching, and with it, AdaChic Designs’ latest collection! Whether you’re looking for holiday presents or additions to your winter wardrobe, AdaChic’s leather handbags are the perfect choice for authentic, sustainable, and socially conscious shopping. The new collection of carefully crafted and beautifully designed handbags featuring colors like coral, olive, burgundy, mustard, and more is set to launch tonight at 5:00 pm!

Each bag is handmade in Africa by local designers with local materials to elevate the African economy through revenue and job creation while uplifting the community of artisans. The company was started by Dr. Nichole Thompson with her cousin Meredith Lilly following Thompson’s trip to Africa with her daughter. The two cousins, being the first-born women in each of their families, decided to honor their Nigerian roots by naming the company “Adachic,” stemming from the Nigerian word “Ada,” meaning “first girl.” Since its inception, the company has made a lasting impact on Africans across the globe.

“We are very excited to announce the release of our latest collection, just in time for the Holiday season! From style and color to shape and feel, our team in Africa is carefully creating each bag to perfection. We hope you enjoy these new handbags as much as we loved designing them,” said Dr. Nichole Thompson, founder, and co-owner of AdaChic Designs.

For more information on AdaChic Designs or to stay up to date on the latest collection’s release, visit https://adachicdesigns.com/.

AdaChic Designs was birthed during a trip to Africa. The founder and co-owners, Nichole Thompson and Meredith Lilly, have an unwavering commitment to the elevation of the diaspora through economic development. The creation of high-end handbags serves as a catalyst for job creation and sustainable community investments. Each handbag is crafted by African artists, utilizing sustainable leather sourced in Ethiopia. The cousin owners are working to grow a sustainable workforce that amplifies Africa’s talent and natural resources.