There will be FREE activities for the entire family including live music, inflatables, games, face painting, pumpkin patch, food and craft vendors, and large outdoor flea market! This event is free to the public.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Penny Foundation is excited to announce the first-ever Southern Scholars Showcase, an event celebrating collegiate debate and academic excellence. This inaugural debate, featuring Howard University and Samford University, will take place on October 18th at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The event is presented by The Penny Foundation and Jefferson County Commission, with production by BlueJireh, Inc.

This highly anticipated debate will highlight the intellectual rigor and competitive spirit of two renowned institutions. It will provide a platform for students, educators, and the community to engage in dynamic discussions on pressing topics such as free enterprise, foreign policy, education, healthcare, and affirmative action. Through their mastery of logic, rhetoric, and persuasion, these scholars will exemplify the power of thoughtful discourse in addressing complex societal issues.

Lyord Watson Jr., Founder & CEO of The Penny Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm: ""We believe that democracy is a cornerstone of our nation. What better way for us to see democracy in action than to have our nation's young leaders to model civil debate."

Samford University Team:

TJ Riggs
Maddox Gates
Debate Coach: Lee Quinn, J.D.

Howard University Team:

Elandrea Baker
Robert Khalil Kelly
Debate Coach: Angela D. Minor, Esq.

Registration is now open for attendees and vendors. For more information or to register, please visit www.southernscholarsshowcase.org 

There’s no tailgate party in the country like the Coors Light Pregame Tailgate Party at the McDonald’s Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola. Enjoy sponsor activations, giveaways, entertainment and more!

Witness the 82nd football clash between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, two in-state SWAC rivals who come together every year to put on the No. 1 HBCU Classic in the country. The competition is just as fierce at halftime with the battle of the bands between A&M’s Marching Maroon & White and ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets.