Alabama A&M University’s 25th Annual Black-Tie Scholarship Gala presented by Alabama Power with feature R&B icon and musical legend Charlie Wilson. The University’s premier fundraising event will take place Friday, April 25 at the Event Center as AAMU continues to generate support for the ongoing 150th Anniversary campaign to raise $15 million in individual gifts in 2025.

The Gala is officially sold-out, but supporters can still get into the building for the event by purchasing a limited number of concert-only tickets on sale now. In a fashion worthy of the Sesquicentennial anniversary of Alabama A&M, this year’s Gala promises to be the biggest yet – on pace to set new records for attendance and fundraising. Leading the party with a purpose: Charlie Wilson.

To say that Charlie Wilson is an “Icon,” does not truly describe the musical powerhouse whose vocal prowess began as founding member and lead singer of the legendary GAP Band (“You Dropped the Bomb on Me,” “Outstanding,” “Party Train,” and “Burn Rubber on Me.”)

As a solo artist Wilson has topped the R&B charts with 13 number one singles, 13 GRAMMY? nominations, a New York Times and Washington Post best-selling memoir, “I Am Charlie Wilson,” a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Icon Award, a Soul Train Certified Soul Award, a NAACP Music Makes a Difference Award.

Wilson kicked off 2024 receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on his birthday, surrounded by a star-studded crowd of friends including Snoop Dogg, Babyface, Tyler The Creator, Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign, Don Toliver, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Johnny Gill, Tank, and Chante Moore.

With an event fundraising goal of $1 million, the Gala directly benefits the scholarships segment of the 150th Anniversary Campaign. The University has already raised more than $3 million of its $15 million individual gifts goal for 2025 to fund scholarships, campus improvements, STEM infrastructure expansion, and more. For more information on the AAMU 150th Anniversary Campaign visit www.aamu.edu/150.