We Speak Events
Monica, Tamar Braxton, and Sevyn Streeter Dazzles Stockbridge with Powerful Tribute to the Divine 9 Sisterhood
On October 5, 2024, the Stockbridge Amphitheater in Georgia played host to a spectacular evening featuring three powerhouse R&B vocalists: Monica, Sevyn Streeter, and Tamar Braxton. The concert, part of the “Salute to the Ladies of the Divine 9,” celebrated the contributions of historically Black sororities, including Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho. Hosted by the Niecy Shaw, the night blended music with a tribute to sisterhood and empowerment.
Sevyn Streeter kicked off the event with a dynamic performance of hits like “It Won’t Stop,” energizing the crowd and setting the tone for the evening. Her versatile stage presence and collaboration highlights such as her work with Chris Brown, kept the audience on their feet.
Tamar Braxton followed, captivating the crowd with her emotional renditions of songs like “Love and War” and “All the Way Home.” In a special moment, she even brought her sister, Toni Braxton, on stage, making the night even more memorable.
Monica headlined the show, delivering a stellar performance of her classic hits such as “Angel of Mine,” “The Boy Is Mine,” and “So Gone.” Monica, one of the most beloved voices in R&B, has always captivated audiences with her soulful vocals and emotional delivery. Her soulful voice and connection with the audience highlighted why she remains a beloved figure in R&B after two decades.
The concert not only celebrated musical talent but also honored the legacy of Black Greek-letter organizations and HBCUs.
Photo Credit: James Allen
We Speak Events
Atlanta Screening of The Alabama Solution Brings Together Panel of Advocates, Leaders, and Community Voices
ATLANTA, GA — Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered in Atlanta for a special screening of the Oscar-nominated HBO documentary The Alabama Solution, an evening centered on film, dialogue, and community engagement around issues of justice and incarceration.
Hosted at 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, the event brought together organizations and community members for a formal evening of reflection and conversation following the powerful documentary. The film, co-directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman and co-produced by Alex Duran, offers an intimate and unfiltered look into Alabama’s prison system.
At the heart of the documentary are the voices of justice-impacted individuals Melvin “Bennu” Ray and Robert “Kinetik” Council, whose experiences shed light on the realities inside the prison system while challenging viewers to consider deeper questions about accountability, dignity, and reform.
Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together leaders and advocates working in justice reform and community outreach. The conversation was moderated by Bridgette Simpson of Barred Business, who guided the dialogue with panelists representing several organizations committed to addressing issues within the justice system.
Panelists included Gerald Griggs of the NAACP, Kimberly Jones of Fork the System, Octavious Holiday of the Positive Outreach Development Society, Kevin Marshall of The Marshall Law Group, LLC, Kathryn Hamoudah of the Southern Center for Human Rights, and Christopher Willars of The Life Unit Inc.
Each panelist offered insight shaped by their work in advocacy, legal reform, and community engagement. Their perspectives highlighted the far-reaching effects incarceration can have on families and communities, while also emphasizing the importance of awareness, accountability, and continued dialogue around the issues presented in the film.
The screening was supported by several organizations dedicated to justice and civic engagement, including One for Justice, Dream.org, Barred Business, the Southern Center for Human Rights, The Life Unit, the Center for Civic Innovation, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the Free Atlanta Abolition Movement.
The evening also served as a moment of connection for those in attendance, including family members and advocates whose lives have been impacted by the justice system. Through film and conversation, the gathering created space for reflection and for communities to engage with the realities highlighted in the documentary.
As conversations continued after the screening, the event underscored the power of storytelling to bring people together, raise awareness, and encourage deeper consideration of issues that often remain unseen by the public.
As momentum continues to grow around conversations sparked by the documentary, organizers are encouraging community members to take an additional step by supporting efforts aimed at protecting justice-impacted individuals from discrimination.
Advocates are currently inviting the public to sign a virtual petition card supporting the establishment of a statewide Protected Class Ordinance in Georgia, which would help ensure justice-impacted individuals are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and opportunity.
You may find and share the virtual petition here:
Statewide Protected Class
https://www.theprotectedclassnetwork.org/sign-our-petition
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