If you love to party with a purpose, then Atlanta’s inaugural HBCU AWAREFEST needs to be on your radar. Presented by Live Nation Urban and Student Freedom Initiative in conjunction with the City of Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens, this benefit concert is billed as the biggest HBCU fundraiser in history and seeks to address the student loan debt crisis. State Farm Arena will be the site of the innovative event where numerous entertainers are expected to take the stage on Thursday, March 26th.
Leading the performance lineup is Jill Scott, who’s having the best start to 2026, considering the pristine album rollout and subsequent release of her latest set To Whom This May Concern. Scott will bring neo-soul vibes, but several genres of Black music will be showcased.
R&B will come alive with performances by Earth, Wind & Fire; John Legend; PJ Morton; Coco Jones and Adam Blackstone. Rappers on tap to rock the mic for hip-hop include Common, GloRilla, Jeezy, Metro Boomin and BigXthaPlug. Gospel music luminaries Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Travis Greene will inspire attendees. Tems will spice things up by adding Afrobeats to the mix, while Mickey Guyton will saddle up and ride for country music. The cast of Alicia Keys‘ blockbuster Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen is also on tap to perform.
In addition to this incredible performance lineup, there’ll be appearances by who’s who of recording artists, such as Ludacris, 2 Chainz, Kandi Burruss and Big Boi, and public figures, such as Robert F. Smith, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Dr. Jamal Bryant and Daymond John. Hosting this starry night will be Nick Cannon.
Tickets to the first-ever HBCU AWAREFEST are on sale via Ticketmaster, and 100% of profits will go directly to the Student Freedom Initiative to reduce the burden of student loan debt. For more information, visit the HBCU AWAREFEST website.
