The Rising South season will host a concert headlined by two-time Grammy Award winner Peabo Bryson, whose legendary voice and artistry have inspired audiences for decades. Mr. Bryson—recipient of Grammy Awards for “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)” and “Beauty and the Beast”—will perform a full concert in support of Rising South’s mission.

Before Mr. Bryson’s performance, local artists and student performers will take the stage, including a signature musical presentation titled “From Hidden to Crowned,” which depicts the journey from pain to purpose and triumph over violence.

Through this project, Rising South Literacy School invites the entire community—students, educators, artists, and families—to take part in building a culture of peace, literacy, and collective pride.

Project Objectives

1. Distribute 500 community resource guides on literacy, violence prevention, and mental health support.

2. Host a milestone community event focused on violence prevention, connecting families with local services and partners.

3. Establish 10–20 natural mentors who will guide and uplift youth affected by domestic and community violence.

4. Provide internship scholarships in business, media, and technical fields to prepare students for college and careers.

5. Announce annual scholarship recipients who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and commitment to community service.

6. Offer apprenticeship opportunities in event management, sound design, and visual arts production.

Our Legacy

Although Rising South officially became a 501(c)(3) organization in late 2022, and then paused after the loss of its founder, our commitment to community service extends back more than two decades. Long before obtaining nonprofit status, we operated as a grassroots volunteer collective, organizing literacy drives, mentoring youth, hosting free arts workshops, and leading community dialogues on gun violence, domestic abuse, and neighborhood revitalization. 

In February 2023, we experienced the profound loss of one of our founding organizers, Phillip Muhammad, a retired police officer and passionate advocate for violence prevention who worked closely with residents most vulnerable to adverse outcomes. 

His dedication continues to inspire our mission, and today Rising South carries forward his legacy by advancing initiatives that promote community safety, education, and healing.