Bravo TV star Queen Brooklyn coming to Livingstone for ‘I Am Free Tour’

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 28, 2019

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 provide solutions to violence.

Queen Brooklyn starred in Bravo’s “Thicker than Water” along with her parents and siblings, 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,” which is designed to help people to prevent and heal from violence.

As a voice for students and communities riddled by sexual, physical and mental 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 currently No. 1 on the smooth-jazz Billboard chart, and his wife, Pastor Jewel Tankard, an international speaker.

Queen Brooklyn’s siblings and other celebrity friends will also attend.

The public is invited to attend educational workshops 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, panel discussions, spoken-word performances and dance.

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 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 Sr., the 12th president of Livingstone College,” Queen Brooklyn 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 program are available with a donation. To register, get tickets, sponsor, volunteer or donate, visit www.IAMFREETOUR.com or call (615) 544-5266.

Follow Queen Brooklyn and the “I Am Free Tour” on Instagram and Facebook @queenbrooklyn and @IAmFreeTour.