We Speak Events
25th Anniversary show bigger, louder, faster, crazier, funkier… and even more Soul!

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018, Atlanta based UniverSoul Circus announces expansion of its national tour schedule into Gwinnett Country at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, GA, March 14-25. Tickets, starting as low as $20, go on sale today at Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
With the inclusion of Gwinnett County into its tour schedule, 2018 marks the first time UniverSoul Circus has set up its big top tent in two locations in Metro Atlanta.
UniverSoul Circus proudly celebrates 25 high-flying years as America’s top-ranked venue for music, laughter and unrivalled performance artistry. Commemorating its 25th anniversary in 2018, UniverSoul Circus has forever transformed the world’s urban entertainment landscape with an unforgettable display of music, laughter and extreme thrills.
For 2018, UniverSoul Circus has produced its best show ever. In every way imaginable under the big top, this show will be bigger, louder, faster, crazier, funkier, with even more soul.
“This has been an amazing journey and a fantastic ride,” said Founder and CEO Cedric Walker, speaking of UniverSoul’s 25th Anniversary. “Generations have witnessed our growth and have evolved with us. We want our fans to know they will always be a part of the UniverSoul Circus family. Consider us a community-minded, family-oriented, spiritually-uplifting entertainment revival for families across America.”
Earlier in 2018, Cedric Walker was selected for induction into the prestigious Circus Ring of Fame for his outstanding contributions to circus arts and culture.
Acts in Atlanta include Ringmaster Lucky and his sidekick Zeke. In fact, Zeke is also celebrating his 25th Anniversary with UniverSoul as the only original cast member still with the show. Other acts include Caribbean Dancers, Contortionists, Clowns, Comedy Dogs, Teeterboard, Trampoline, Pole, Giant Wheel, Quick Change, Horses and Motorcycles. UniverSoul Circus features a multicultural conglomeration of performers from virtually every corner of the globe, including the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Mongolia, Chile, Cuba, Russia, Guinea, and China.
About UniverSoul Circus
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018, UniverSoul is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top two circuses in America along with Cirque du Soleil. UniverSoul’s fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has garnered it a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events, along with other shows including Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The circus was founded 25 years ago in Atlanta by concert and theatre promoter, Cedric Walker.
Visit www.universoulcircus.com for more info, ticket prices, show times, and schedules.
Follow us on Facebook @UniverSoulcircus, Twitter @UniverSoulCirc and Instagram @UniverSoulCircus.
We Speak Entertainment
BET MEDIA GROUP HONORED BLACK LGBTQ+ TRAILBLAZER WITH A POWERFUL NIGHT OF CELEBRATION, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
FROM BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’S GROUNDBREAKING RECOGNITION TO HOPE GISELLES’S INSPIRING REMARKS– THE 3RD ANNUAL BET BLACK + ICONIC SOIREE HIGHLIGHTED THE BRILLIANCE AND IMPACT OF BLACK LGBTQ+ LEADERS

(New York, NY)– May 28, 2025 – The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée made its Washington, D.C debut with inspiring evening celebrating the past, present, and future of black LGBTQ+ excellence. The 2025 theme, “Excellence Ascending,” paid tribute to cultural change makers leading with authenticity, courage and purpose.
Hosted by entertainment journalist and Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée gathered trailblazers across activism, arts, business, and media for a powerful evening of storytelling , performance, and legacy-building.
Highlights from the BET Black + Iconic Soriée Included:
- Ashlee Davis, J.D. received the Executive Realness Award for her trailblazing work in civil rights leadership, including her legacy of impact across government and corporate sectors.
- Hope Giselle, a powerful advocate and author was named Emerging leader for her unrelenting work championing visibility and inclusion for Black trans communities.
- Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, was honored as Active Advocate for her decades of leadership advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Ashlee Marie Preston, a nationally recognized activist and media strategist, accepted the Creative Visionary Award, saluted for using her voice to shift narratives and build intergenerational coalitions.
- Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning entertainer and global icon, received the Culture Trailblazer Award, closing the evening with a heartfelt speech about identity, freedom, legacy.
- The Center for Black Equity and the Take Resource Center each received $5,000 through the BET Thrive Fund Recognition, honored for their work advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness, equity and community organizing.
The night also featured a soul-stirring medley performance by Broadway powerhouse Avery Wilson, fresh off stage from The Wiz revival. Presenters included Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra from Detroit, BET+), and Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+), each bringing star power and heartfelt tributes to the evening’s honorees.
“From the very beginning, we knew this couldn’t be just another event,” said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics and Co-Lead of Social Impact at BET, During his opening remarks. “It had to an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced and celebrate contributions that have shaped the world in powerful ways.”
The evening also spotlighted Gilead Sciences, a long standing partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Gilead’s Rashad Burgess, Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Health Equity, emphasized and the importance of equitable healthcare access, visibility, and long-term impact for Black LGBTQ+ communities.
Additionally, the event welcomed Truth Initiative as a new partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Dr. Kendrick Dartis, Vice president of Outreach and Engagement, addressed the urgent issue of tobacco use in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and emphasized the need for culturally relevant cessation support. He also announced a $5,000 BET Thrive Fund donation, sponsored by Truth Initiative, to Us Helping Us– a D.C.- based non profit dedicated to advancing health equity.
BET Black + Iconic Soirée stands as defining moment in the 45th anniversary year of the media group– underscoring its mission to center Black culture, honor its LGBTQ+ communities, and drive meaningful, measurable impact.
Join the conversation using #BlackAndIconic and relieve the nights most powerful moments on BET’s official social channels. The Televised premiere date and time will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ:PARAA;PARA), is the worlds largest media company dedicated too entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Back audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements visit bet pressroom.com.
-
We Speak Football1 week ago
Eagle Rising: Freshman Linebacker Kaden Lewis Ready To Make Immediate Impact For North Clayton High School
-
We Speak Volleyball4 days ago
Serving Up Power and Positivity: Spotlight on Volleyball Standout Hannah Edgeworth
-
We Speak Football3 days ago
Driven by Purpose: Damari’aee Barrington Prepares to Dominate as a Freshman and Inspire Others
-
We Speak Coaches2 days ago
From Volleyball Player to Volleyball Coach and Mentor: A Journey Fueled by Passion, Purpose, And A Commitment To Changing Lives