Educate • Empower • Elevate

About Us

We are building a stronger future through shared purpose, community action, cultural pride, and opportunities that help Black families, youth, businesses, and neighborhoods thrive.

Our history

Rooted in community. United for progress.

Founded in 2015, Black Alliance of the South is a community-centered network committed to educating, empowering, and elevating Black communities throughout the South. The Alabama chapter is being established with its headquarters in Huntsville.

We are passionate about partnering with individuals and organizations whose work stimulates positive growth. Our vision is to become a trusted hub for efforts that advance and uplift minority communities—bringing people, knowledge, resources, and opportunities together in one connected network.

We believe unity, shared responsibility, and positive action can change community conditions more quickly and more powerfully. Our work supports safer neighborhoods, stronger literacy among children, a celebration of excellence and lifelong learning, and greater visibility and support for Black-owned businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.

Our service has included feeding unhoused and underserved neighbors, providing health workshops, and hosting community meetings that bring awareness to crime and other concerns affecting inner-city neighborhoods. As Huntsville continues to grow, we are excited to help ensure that Black businesses, families, and community organizations are connected to that growth and equipped to prosper.

From loss to lasting purpose

The Reason Behind the Vision

Historical flyer for An Evening with Peabo Bryson, originally scheduled for October 4, 2026, at The Orion Stage — The benefit concert that inspired a larger community vision.

The Black Arts, Fashion & Culture Festival grew from an unexpected moment of loss—and from a collective decision to transform that loss into purpose.

Rising South Literacy School originally planned An Evening with Peabo Bryson, a benefit concert scheduled for October 4, 2026, at The Orion Stage. Mr. Bryson was coming to Huntsville to lend his legendary voice and support to a cause rooted in literacy, community advancement, and the prevention of violence.

Sadly, Mr. Bryson passed away on June 2, 2026. We join countless people around the world in honoring the life and extraordinary legacy of a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist whose music touched generations. His unforgettable voice, generous spirit, and timeless songs—including “A Whole New World”—will continue to inspire audiences for years to come.

After Mr. Bryson’s management and booking representatives contacted us to formally cancel his appearance, our board and planning committee faced an important decision: Should we cancel the benefit altogether, or should we continue pursuing the purpose he had agreed to support?

Together, we voted to move forward.

Violence—particularly gun violence and domestic violence—continues to affect families and neighborhoods throughout our city, including communities in North Huntsville. We believe meaningful change is needed, and we also believe that art, education, creativity, culture, and community connection can be powerful instruments of that change.

With that vision in mind, the original benefit concert evolved into the Black Arts, Fashion & Culture Festival: a free community celebration created to uplift people, showcase talent, expand literacy, support Black-owned businesses, and inspire collective progress.

We intentionally moved the event from The Orion Stage to a Black venue within the community we seek to serve. We wanted the festival itself—and the resources invested in it—to directly uplift the people, businesses, creatives, and everyday leaders who make our community stronger.

Every part of the festival reflects that purpose. Our Community Awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations whose work often happens without widespread recognition. Our youth essay contest encourages young people to imagine how they will help change the world. The Young Explorers’ Village shows children that science, discovery, reading, and learning can be exciting and fun. Our performances provide a space for clean, family-friendly entertainment, while the fashion showcase celebrates the creativity, style, and vision of Black designers from Huntsville and the surrounding community.

Through art, music, fashion, literature, entrepreneurship, education, and service, we hope to bring people together—not simply for one day of celebration, but to help create lasting relationships and positive change.

Although the original event could not continue as planned, its mission did not end. It grew into something larger—a celebration of where we are, a vision of where we can go, and an invitation for all of us to help create a whole new world together.

A special musical tribute

Mrs. Dani Sings, joined by Eric Echoes

The festival will include a special tribute to Mr. Peabo Bryson led by the beautiful Mrs. Dani Sings, an award nominee recognized for the impact she has made within our community. Eric Echoes will join her in duet as they perform “A Whole New World,” the beloved song that inspired the festival’s theme. Together, they will honor Mr. Bryson’s legacy while representing our hope for what becomes possible when a community chooses vision, unity, and purpose.