HBCU AWAREFEST
Performances by Jill Scott, John Legend, Common, Jeezy, Earth, Wind, & Fire, GloRilla & More!
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DateMar 26, 2026
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Event Starts7:30 PM
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On SaleOn Sale Now
- Mar 26 Thursday 7:30 PM Doors at 6:30pm Buy Tickets
Event Details
LIVE NATION URBAN AND STUDENT FREEDOM INITIATIVE PRESENT LINEUP FOR INAUGURAL ‘HBCU AWAREFEST’
JILL SCOTT, JOHN LEGEND, COMMON, EARTH, WIND, & FIRE, AND MORE, JOIN HBCU AWAREFEST AS IT AIMS TO RELIEVE THE CRUSHING BURDEN OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING HBCUS.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026 – ATLANTA, GA – STATE FARM ARENA
Tickets are available for presale on Wednesday, November 19th at 10AM ET and will go on sale on Friday, November 21st at 10AM ET at awarefest.org and Ticketmaster.com.
(Atlanta, GA) — November 17, 2025 — Today, Live Nation Urban (LNU) and Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) announce the lineup for HBCU AWAREFEST, the largest HBCU fundraiser in history. Initially announced in August, the festival marks a new joint partnership between the two organizations, along with the City of Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens, to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Black America: the student loan debt crisis. The inaugural edition of Atlanta’s newest festival will take place at the award-winning State Farm Arena on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
The festival includes a stacked slate of performances from the likes of Jill Scott, John Legend, Common, Jeezy, Earth, Wind, & Fire, GloRilla, Metro Boomin, Kirk Franklin, and more, along with remarks from Chris Paul, Robert F. Smith, Angel Reese, Ryan Clark and more. Full performance lineup and guest speaker list is available below. Tickets are available for presale on Wednesday, November 19th at 10AM ET and will go on sale on Friday, November 21st at 10AM ET at awarefest.org and Ticketmaster.com.
“At Student Freedom Initiative, we are incredibly excited about the coalition and movement that we are building to end the student loan debt crisis for our nation’s HBCU students,” said Keith Shoates, President and CEO of SFI. “In addition to these amazing performers, we have enlisted AWAREFEST Ambassadors, showing the breadth of our ecosystem of mission-aligned partners. These individuals will help to spread the word and share the urgency of our mission to tackle the racial wealth gap through the lens of education.”
HBCU AWAREFEST is a nationwide call to action with workshops, panel discussions, and live music, which will ignite conversations and spark action to tackle student loan debt for HBCU students. Together, Live Nation Urban and Student Freedom Initiative will raise funds to support SFI’s Student Freedom Loan Agreement, an affordable, income-contingent funding alternative to Parent PLUS Loans.
Live Nation Urban is committed to Black excellence in music and culture, and today we are proud to stand with our partners at Student Freedom Initiative to build a national movement of allies, artists, activists, and students to support the institutions that are the foundation of our culture,” said Shawn Gee, President of Live Nation Urban.
HBCU AWAREFEST MUSIC LINEUP
Adam Blackstone
Coco Jones
Common
Earth, Wind, & Fire
GloRilla
Jeezy
Jill Scott
John Legend
Kirk Franklin
Metro Boomin
Mickey Guyton
PJ Morton
Tems
The Cast of Alicia Keys’ Hit Broadway Musical Hell’s Kitchen
Travis Greene
Yolanda Adams
HBCU AWAREFEST SPEAKER LINEUP
Mayor Andre Dickens
Angel Reese
Big Boi
Chris Paul
Larenz Tate
Robert F. Smith
Ryan Clark
2 Chainz
& more
With HBCU AWARE FEST, Live Nation Urban and Student Freedom Initiative will help educate the nation about the contribution of HBCUs to local and national economies, and galvanize collective action to provide sustainable pathways to higher education and long-term wealth creation for students attending HBCUs.
The festival serves as the latest offering in a slew of successful LNU campaigns, including the recently produced The Roots Picnic, BET Experience, ONE Musicfest, “An Evening with Jagged Edge: 25 Years of J.E. Heartbreak,” “RNB X Live: The UK Sound,” Davido’s “The 5IVE ALIVE TOUR,” Black on the Block, “New Wave Tour 2025,” and “Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout,” as well as upcoming events including Broccoli City Exchange, “Room 112 Tour,” andLil’ WeezyAna Fest.
Suite Rentals
Take your concert experience to the next level with all-inclusive food and beverage, amazing views, A-list amenities, and your own private party zone for you and your crew!
Stay & Play presented by Hotels.com

Want to make the most of your time in downtown Atlanta? Choose from several nearby hotels to create the perfect fan experience. Save 10% or more with Member Prices with Hotels.com.
Parking: Buy Now & Save!
Enjoy all these awesome benefits when you plan ahead and purchase your parking in advance through ParkMobile.
State Farm Arena offers multiple parking options tailored to your needs:
- STATE FARM DRIVE: The best parking, just steps from the entrance
- DIAMOND DECK: VIP parking with exclusive Player/Artist entrance
- SAPPHIRE DECK: Prime location across the street
- RUBY LOT: Easy & convenient Arena access
Plan Your Visit
From how to get here, to finding your seat, to getting something to eat and drink, click here to plan your visit to State Farm Arena.
Bag Policy
Bag Size Requirement:
- 14" x 14" x 6" or smaller
- All bags are subject to screening
- State Farm Arena does not enforce a clear bag policy
Approved Bags:
- Single-compartment drawstring bags, purses, or fashion backpacks that are smaller than 14" x 14" x 6".
- Medical bags and diaper bags accompanying a child are exempt from the size requirement policy but are subject to search. Parents may bring in plastic bottles of formula or milk inside the arena.
- Approved media members may bring backpacks, provided that they undergo screening at the Media Entrance.
- Strollers are welcome inside the arena, but must be checked inside Gate 1 at the Guest Service Center (view arena map).
Prohibited Bags:
- All bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6". This includes briefcases, purses, and luggage.
- Backpacks and hard-sided bags of any size. Approved media members may bring backpacks, provided that they undergo screening at the Media Entrance.
Bag Valet:
- For a fee, guests with non-complying bags can check their bag or item at the Bag Valet tent by Gate 2, located off of Centennial Olympic Park Dr.
- Bag valet is available two hours prior to the event start time through one hour after the conclusion of the event. Items must be retrieved the same day.
Lost Bag:
- If you have an inquiry regarding an unclaimed item, please fill out this form to claim your item.
NOTE: Bag policies are subject to change based on event. Please check the event's page here to see your event's specific bag policy.
Cashless Enviroment
State Farm Arena is a cashless environment. Card payment will be required at all ticket, food & beverage, and retail locations. No cash payments will be accepted.
Omni Hotel Guests
Staying at the Omni Hotel?
To access the Omni Hotel’s North and South towers, exit through Gate 7 and walk west on Andrew Young International Blvd NW towards Marietta St NW. The Omni Hotel will be on your left.
