RIZE: A Soul-Stirring Celebration lived up to its promise as "the turn up for everyone who refused to stay down," creating a genuine community where audience members were just as excited to see each other as they were to see this debut performance. Roughly 60 attendees gathered for an intimate celebration of Atlanta’s newest variety show.
The energy in the room was undeniably positive - a collective exhale of joy, resilience, and shared appreciation for rich, artistic expression. What made the evening truly special wasn't just the caliber of performances, but how the artists invited the audience into their stories of triumph and transformation.
DJ Rasyrious curated the perfect backdrop, spinning motivational hits that amplified the show's core message of resilience. Chicago steppers and professional dancers from Komanse Dance led spontaneous dance breaks to get the entire crowd moving together. Renowned spoken word artist Adán Bean served as emcee, weaving the evening's performances into a cohesive celebration of hope. Digital moments from community leaders added depth, including a psychologist discussing how creative expression helps us reconnect with ourselves, and a spiritual leader sharing insights on love's transformative power. Rapper Madam brought the house down with her powerful "Ancestral Anthem," while Nigerian-born Afro R&B singer M.E. led spirited popular covers before performing his original works. The evening culminated with established poet and author Amena Brown Owen, who's graced prestigious stages worldwide including The Moth, delivering comedic storytelling and an excerpt from her forthcoming book, "Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl."
The audience response was overwhelming. While RIZE 2026 is already in the works, producer Shaté Hayes is exploring quarterly events based on enthusiastic community feedback. Follow RizeTheShow.com for updates on upcoming events and next year's celebration.