Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Singer to Headline Annual MLK Event in Tuscaloosa

Grammy Award-winning singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard will headline a concert as part of the 2023 "Realizing the Dream" annual event that will take place next weekend leading into Martin L. King Day.

The event series is lead by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Realizing the Dream Committee, which is comprised of representatives from the University of Alabama, Stillman College, Shelton State Community College, and Tuscaloosa's Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

According to the event website, the series began in 1990 and will be a yearlong celebration that features several events "designed to affirm and keep alive Dr. King’s legacy among the people of Alabama."

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In a release from UA, organizers said the event will kick off with the 14th Legacy Awards Banquet, which will take place in the Sellers Auditorium at the Bryant Conference Center next Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature retired Lieutenant General Russel L.Honoré as the speaker. Several military heroes will be honored during the ceremony for their contributions throughout the state and country.

The Realizing the Dream Concert will take place on Sunday evening at the University of Alabama's Moody Music Building Concert Hall.

The release states Cobb Leonard's career began by leading worship at her father's church before breaking out in 2013 with her hit song, "Break Every Chain" which earned her a Grammy Award.

The event will conclude on Martin L. King Day with several Unity Day activities, which are sponsored by the Tuscaloosa SCLS. Beginning at 7 a.m., a Unity breakfast will take place at Beulah Baptist Church, located at 3100 25th Street in West Tuscaloosa.

Unity Day will kick off following the breakfast at 12 noon at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary, which is located directly across the street from Beulah Baptist.

The day will wrap up with the annual Mass Rally at First African Baptist Church at 5 p.m. and will feature Dr. Vernon Swift of Elizabeth Baptist Church as the guest speaker.

Tickets for the Legacy Awards Banquet are $30 for individuals or $200 for a table of eight. Concert tickets are $20 and all Unity Day events are free and open to the public.

To purchase tickets for either event, click here, visit the event's website or call 205-348-7405 for more information.

Stay connected with the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates on  Martin L. King Day events happening in and around the Druid City.