Reality TV star coming to Livingstone

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 14, 2019

Livingstone College

SALISBURY – Bravo TV reality star, singer and motivational speaker Queen Brooklyn Tankard, along with celebrity family and friends, is coming to Livingstone College on April 8-9.

The visit is part of her 2019 “I Am Free Concert and Convo Tour,” which uses music, education and the performing arts to empower the community and provide solutions to violence.

Queen Brooklyn starred in Bravo��s reality show “Thicker than Water,” along with her parents and siblings, who were dubbed the “Black Brady Bunch.” She was nearly killed and endured violence between the ages of 9 to 21, which inspired her to create the “I Am Free Tour and Movement” that helps people prevent and heal from violence.

As a voice for students and communities riddled by sexual, physical and emotional violence, she is committed to providing resources to survivors of violence and has enlisted partnering organizations to help people transition out of violent situations.

Family members joining her on the tour include her father, Pastor Ben Tankard, a platinum-selling artist who is No. 1 on the smooth-jazz Billboard chart; and his wife, Pastor Jewel Tankard, an international speaker and wealth guru.

Tankard’s siblings and more celebrity friends will also attend.

The public is invited to attend educational workshops on April 8, the VIP Celebrity Meet & Greet at 2 p.m. April 9, and the main program at 5 p.m., which will feature live music, panels, spoken-word performances and dance on campus.

The “I Am Free Tour” has partnered with Bridge Da Gap. Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that combines hip-hop music, education and mentoring to reach students and teach life skills. The tour has also garnered the support of national domestic violence organizations and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which was started in 1981 and furthered by the Obama administration.

“The ‘I Am Free Tour’ is perfectly aligned with the Center for Holistic Learning initiated by Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, the 12th president of Livingstone College,” Tankard said. “The program takes a holistic approach at educating and preparing the total student – intellectually, morally, physically and spiritually for the best possible path to a better future.”

“We have been blessed with this opportunity to have Ms. Tankard and her family to present this program on our campus,” Jenkins said. “We invite the community and other organizations to join us in transforming the lives of students.”

All college students get free access to the main program with pre-registration and a student ID at the door. Limited VIP tickets are available for purchase online. Tickets to the main event are available with a donation.

To register, get tickets, sponsor, volunteer or donate, visit www.IAMFREETOUR.com or call 615-544-5266.

More information on Queen Brooklyn and the “I Am Fee Tour” is on Instagram and Facebook @queenbrooklyn and @IAmFreeTour.