Tag: 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.

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.

Accessories /

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.

Birmingham /

Access205 Magic City Classic Entertainment Guide 2022

The Magic City Classic is the largest historically black college and university (HBCU) football game in the country.

Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University play in the game annually at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and the winner could potentially earn a spot in the SWAC.

It’s not too late to purchase tickets (click on the images) and view the guide below.

Access205 Entertainment Guide:

1.  BBQ and Blues Festival with The Manhattans
Sunday, October 23th from 12 pm – 4 pm

2.  Stop The Violence featuring Master P
Tuesday, October 25th starting at 6 pm

3.  Alumni Block Party
Wednesday, October 26th, 7 pm – 10 pm

4.  2022 IGNITE Empowerment Summit (click on the image)
Tuesday, October 25th from 8 am – 3 pm

5.  Stokley Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival
Thursday, October 27th; Gates Open at 4 pm | Event Starts at 6 pm

6.  Magic City Classic Giveaway Wednesdays
** Online **

7.  The Ultimate King of Pop Experience
Thursday, October 27th Doors Open at 6 pm | Starts at 7 pm

8.  Magic City Classic Afrobeats Party by AfroLuzionz (click on the image)
Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 p.m. – Sunday, October 30th at 4 pm

9.  Magic City Classic Weekend “5th Annual” Friday Night Soiree at The Harbert (click on the image)
Friday, October 28th at 9 pm – Saturday, October 29th at 2:30 am

10.  Rickey Smiley Morning Show Live
Thursday, October 27th from 5 am – 9 am

11.  Welcome to Birmingham The Opening Ceremony (click on the image)
Thursday, October 27th from 8:30 pm to 12 am

12.  Thursday Night Live Karaoke Showcase (click on the image)
Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

13. The Classic Kid Capri Party (click on the image)
Friday, October 28th from 9 pm – 2 am

14.  Sunshine and Wine
Friday, October 28th, 2 pm – 7 pm

15.  11th Annual Battle of The Choirs
Wednesday, 26th Doors Open at 6 pm

16.  Stardome Featuring:  Rod Man (click on the image)
Friday, October 28 – Saturday, October 30 | Doors Open at 5:45 pm, Show Starts at 7 pm

17.  Behind The Mask
Wednesday, October 26th Doors Open at 5 pm | Show Starts at 6 pm

18.  Magic City Classic Post-Game Concert
Saturday, October 29th

19.  McDonald’s MAGIC CITY CLASSIC 2022 (click on the image)
Tailgate starts at 10 am – 2 pm | Game begins at 2:30 pm

Additional Events for The Season:

Music Fest:  Turkey Day Classic 2022
Wednesday, November 23rd
Doors Open at 7 pm | Showtime at 8 pm

Access205, LLC. is a social media advertising and email blast company that specializes in designing and managing e-mail blast campaigns for events and businesses in Bham, AL. With our email blast campaigns and flyer distribution, your business and/ or events will receive great exposure and experience an increase among current customers and potential customers.

Kimberly West Agency™ is a boutique public relations firm specializing in brand design, image consulting, influencer marketing, media relations, social media planning, and special events planning.

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Birmingham /

Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2022: The City’s Elegant All-White Picnic

Elegance was the word used to describe Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2022.  On September 17th, the magic city was engulfed with several surprises during this exclusive event!

Arrivées

Table Leaders were amazed to arrive with their assigned group at Railroad Park.  For those that don’t know, Railroad Park is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham.  It was the PERFECT location for the elegant, all-white picnic!

Additionally, guests came together underneath the stars and gathered to live music, a 360 photo booth, and an adult moon bounce.  The best surprise was the giant hot air balloon that even captured the attention of the local news station, asking, “What is happening in the city tonight?”

Le Diner En Blanc Birmingham was hosted by the event management company, Destination Birmingham, owned by Jasmine and Lynda Allen.  The dynamic team not only coordinated the entire event but manages a group of dedicated volunteers!

La Conclusion

Above all, Le Diner En Blanc Birmingham was a successful and enchanting evening for those in Alabama.

Le Dîner en Blanc Birmingham

Photo Credit: Le Dîner en Blanc

 

Le Diner en Blanc Pro-Tip (s)!

  • Register with an email account that receives messages.
  • Guests should arrive in comfortable shoes and change for photos.
  • Try not to overcomplicate the packing process; have the DEB essentials.
  • Dress according to the weather in your region.
  • Do not forget to pack your umbrella.
  • Be mindful of the beverage selections but remember that you can bring your own sodas/water.
  • Purchase your cart, chairs, wagon, and table three weeks prior to the event.
  • Do not wear off-white; this is an all-white affair.
Diner en Blanc Traditions Birmingham
Le Dîner en Blanc is an elegant large-scale picnic from Paris

Most importantly, remember that Le Diner en Blanc is what you make of it!  jusqu’à la prochaine fois

If you like this post, click here:  Le Diner en Blanc Birmingham 2021- The Magic City Sparkled #DEBBHAM

Beauty /

The Tonya Jones SalonSpa: HydraFacial Event in Mountain Brook

Experience a free luxury spa event in the heart of Mountain Brook! The Tonya Jones SalonSpa is excited to host a HydraFacial event at its English Village location on October 6th from 5:00-7:00 PM. The event will feature their best-selling HydraFacial service, the Spark Collection Jewelry pop-up, giveaways, and more! Located at 2410 Fairway Dr, Birmingham, AL 35213.

“We are so thankful for the support we receive from Mountain Brook and are excited to host a girls night filled with jewelry, fun, and learning about our best-selling facial. Our goal is to provide women with services that make them feel and look their best.” Tonya Jones, Owner of Tonya Jones SalonSpa.

Tonya Jones is an Aveda salon whose mission is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. Tonya Jones has been a leading salon in Birmingham for over 10 years and has a personal mission to encourage her team and guests to be their best selves while looking and feeling beautiful.

The event will highlight the HydraFacial service, a one-of-a-kind skin treatment that exfoliates, extracts, and purifies your skin. In addition, there will be event specials, giveaways, and an opportunity to get permanent jewelry from The Spark Collection Birmingham. Receive a FREE swag bag when you RSVP at

TJHydraFacialMB.eventbrite.com.

Tonya Jones SalonSpa was founded in 2009 by Tonya Jones, Tonya Jones SalonSpa, an Aveda Lifestyle Salon, with locations in English Village, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Jones Valley in Huntsville. Tonya Jones seeks to empower each guest to rediscover their true beauty and confidence through an experience of transformation and renewal.

Birmingham /

National Women’s Business Council Gains New Insight with a New Member

Selena Rodgers Dickerson secures another seat at the table. Business award-winning founder, President and CEO of SARCOR LLC and Selene LLC, is making her mark nationally through the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)! Her appointment to this council will allow her to continue prioritizing the advancement of opportunities for women on a national scale as she speaks with Government officials including the President, U.S. Congress, and the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Rodgers Dickerson, a Birmingham native, has been leading discussions and taking control of the narrative by securing her spot on multiple local boards including the city of Birmingham’s Small Business Council, and through being a panel speaker at the Essence Fest in 2022. Her appointment to the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) last month is a huge achievement as it presents an opportunity to make real change across the nation for small, female-owned businesses.

“I am extremely honored to be on the National Women’s Business Council. This new opportunity allows me to take another step forward and continue to be a part of the conversation to make fundamental changes and promote real opportunities for women entrepreneurs and young professionals.” – Selena Rodgers Dickerson, President, SARCOR LLC

Her selection as a council member is based on her achievements through her businesses as well as the mark that she has made on her local community. Rodgers Dickerson started SARCOR with a single employee and grew the business into a team of engineers. The woman-owned business provides innovative solutions to the challenging projects of its private, corporate, and municipal clients. She also made history as the first African American sponsor of an iconic Vulcan statue as part of a community art project in which miniature replicas of Vulcan are displayed throughout the city of Birmingham.

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.

Birmingham /

Mastercard Supports Black-Owned Businesses During World Games

Mastercard commemorates The World Games by supporting Black-owned small businesses in the Magic City! The initiative will kick off the high-level, diverse, and spectacular sports competition beginning July 7 through 17th.

Birmingham is proud to be one of seven cities participating in Mastercard’s In Solidarity initiative, a 500 million dollar commitment to closing Black Americans’ racial wealth and opportunity gap across America. In partnership with the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC), Mastercard is launching the Birmingham Loyalty Campaign, offering a 20% rebate on qualifying purchases at Black-owned businesses during The World Games! Mastercard made the announcement at a press conference Thursday in Kelly Ingram Park with special guests Mayor Woodfin, Bob Dickerson of the BBRC, and Arian Simone, founder of The Fearless Fund, the first venture capital fund built by women of color. The conference celebrated Mastercard’s commitment to the city while highlighting two local, women-owned, Black-owned businesses, including one that will be featured at the Civil Rights District Marketplace. The five-day festival hosted by the BBRC, and in partnership with Mastercard, will showcase Black-owned businesses, entertainers, interactives, and artisans at Birmingham’s historic Kelly Ingram Park beginning July 8.

The Civil Rights District Marketplace is in collaboration with the World Of Opportunity Vendor Program, a division of The World Games 2022 Birmingham. “Where do I begin. I am so excited that Mastercard has intentionally found a way to support our local minority businesses and their cardholders through the Loyalty Program. In both the Merchant Market and The Civil Rights District Market, a win-win opportunity has been designed for the business and consumer. Not every company will really be as bold or as courageous as they are being to encourage people to buy from Black businesses. It means a lot when you can see that someone believes in you. Mastercard is showing they believe in Black businesses and in Birmingham”, said Kathy Boswell, Executive Vice President of Community and Volunteer Engagement at The World Games 2022 Birmingham.

“As I’ve said before, these businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and they deserve the support of the city they make investments in,” said Mayor Woodfin. “That’s why I’m proud of this genuine partnership with Mastercard. This effort encourages Birmingham residents and visitors to support our Black-owned businesses by shopping local.”

“We have been able to have a 3rd marketplace for The World Games in the Civil Rights District, right here on this hallowed ground! That’s important because, as the mayor talked about, supporting Black-owned businesses means paving a way and opening a door for opportunities,” said Salah Goss with Mastercard. Goss says the marketplace provided a space for businesses who couldn’t get into The World Games marketplace to benefit from the economic windfall.

In addition to the 20% cashback initiative Mastercard has issued, the company partnered with The Fearless Fund to present a check of $10,000 to Bernadine Birdsong, owner of Michael’s Steak and Seafood in Birmingham.

“Over 50% of Black businesses had to close their doors during the pandemic,” said Arian Simone, CEO & Founder of The Fearless Fund. “Now, we are facing the global, macro-economic climate of high-interest rates, inflation at an all-time high, and supply chain issues, where now people of color are being hit again. So, it is an honor to stand here today to present a $10,000 grant to Bernadine Birdsong of Michael’s Steak and Seafood! This is our way of saying we see you, we honor you, and keep going!”

Birdsong accepted the check with tears of joy in her eyes, thanking Mastercard and the Fearless Fund for this opportunity to overcome what Birdsong considers a dark time in the world for the restaurant industry.

To see a list of participating businesses in Mastercard’s Loyalty Program, along with the terms and conditions, please visit: mastercard.com/birmingham.

Birmingham Business Resource Center assists entrepreneurs in every stage of business development. Through an array of technical assistance activities, including one-on-one coaching, the BBRC focuses on helping businesses scale for growth. Services include providing resources to build capacity, attain new customers, and access capital. Emphasis is placed on economic empowerment and supporting historically underserved businesses through diverse supplier opportunities.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships, and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.