Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., events, assassination

by Ahsan Washington

April 4, 2026

Events Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King 58 Years After His Assassination

Across the United States, cities, civil rights groups, and various organizations are honoring and remembering Dr. King.

Fifty-eight years have passed since Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Hotel, which is now the National Civil Rights Museum. King’s purpose in Memphis that tragic day was to support sanitation workers who were on strike and rallying for better wages and work conditions.

Across the United States, cities, civil rights groups, and various organizations are honoring and remembering Dr. King through programming that educates people about his life and mission, while preserving his legacy and advancing his movement.

National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis, Tennessee

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, will hold its annual commemorative event at the site of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4. The program, titled “The Man, The Movement, The Momentum,” starts at 5:00 p.m. CT and features civil rights leaders alongside members of the public, who will participate in reflective discussions led by keynote speaker Nontombi Naomi Tutu. The event will end with a wreath-laying ceremony at 6:01 p.m., which marks the exact time King was shot at the Lorraine Motel.

The King Center

Atlanta, Georgia

The King Center in Atlanta holds official family remembrance and public programming at Dr. King’s legacy site to commemorate his life. The King Family Wreath-Laying Ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. ET, as family members join the public to pay formal tribute and reflect on his passing. At 5:00 p.m. ET, the Center holds a virtual/public discussion named “A Time to Break Silence: Faith, Moral Power, and the Crisis of Global Militarism,” which connects to King’s final year of activism and his opposition to war and economic injustice. The King Center’s institutional and familial observance stands apart from other cities. It is led by Dr. King’s family and takes place at his memorial site, which makes it one of the most definitive commemorations nationwide.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Indianapolis, Indiana

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Indianapolis reopens on April 4, with new outdoor exhibits at the historic site where Robert F. Kennedy announced King’s assassination in 1968. The event combines historical reflection with civic renewal to help residents discover the abundant stories of the space.

58th Annual MLK Candlelight Vigil & Festival

Houston, Texas

The Black Heritage Society will organize its 58th Annual MLK Assassination Candlelight Vigil & Festival at MacGregor Park on April 4 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT. The event will include speakers, live music, and a community vigil that ends with an hour of remembrance for Dr. King.

‘Beyond Vietnam’ Anniversary Service

New York City , New York

The Riverside Church hosts a special “Beyond Vietnam” Anniversary Service on April 5, which features philosopher and activist Cornel West. The service honors Dr. King’s historic anti-war speech, which he delivered from that very pulpit one year before he was assassinated.

Civil Rights Walking Tour

Birmingham, Alabama

On April 4, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument hosts a guided walking tour called “The Church, Children & Community.” The experience guides participants through important civil rights landmarks that link King’s assassination to the wider Southern movement he directed.

MLK Memorial Anniversary Gathering

Washington, D.C.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the location of April 4 events that unite community members for reflection, speeches, and moments of silence to mark the anniversary of Dr. King’s death. Observances focus primarily on King’s contributions to policy and public service.

The April 2026 observances of Dr. King’s assassination take place from the Lorraine Motel balcony in Memphis to church pulpits and public parks across the nation while maintaining exact time, place, and purpose. The events serve dual purposes because they both remember King and mobilize communities to advance his unfinished work.

by Mitti Hicks

April 4, 2026

404 Day Weekend In Atlanta: How This Black Collective Is Celebrating Culture, Community, and Giving Back

More than 100,000 people have participated in 404 Day since 2020, generating nearly $3 million for the local economy.

Unofficially, locals in Atlanta have always celebrated 404 Day on April 4 as an inside joke. The day usually involved scattered community events, local business specials or sales, and a “Happy 404 Day” acknowledgment from neighbors.

The day is a double entendre. Not only is it a reference to one of the city’s iconic area codes, but it’s also a day of reflection to pay respect to the city’s hometown legend and international icon, Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in Memphis on this date in 1968.

Over the last several years, 404 Day has become an intentional celebration of culture, community, and charity, thanks to five local Black-led brands and cultural architects.

“I think it’s important to educate people on Atlanta’s culture,” Tory Edwards, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “We have people moving here from everywhere … and we have people coming here all the time. As the city changes, it’s important to respect the ground and legacy that inspires people to relocate or visit Atlanta.”

Edwards teamed up with his co-founder, Bem Joiner and Brandon Butler, founder of Butter.ATL; William “Bam” Sparks, co-founder of the Trap Music Museum; and Jah Rawlings, CEO of Finish First, to form an alliance known as the 404 Collective. Together, they all share a vision to unify culture, commerce, and community under one powerful movement.

From 404 Day! To A Sprawling Weekend of Events

What started as a single-day celebration has grown into a full weekend. In 2025, the collective seized on 404 Day, falling on a Friday for the first time, to expand into a multi-day series of weekend events.

404 Day Weekend 2026 began with a kickoff event on April 1, followed by the Annual 404 Fund Scholarship Gala on April 2, which brought together more than 350 of Atlanta’s change makers, community leaders, and creatives to invest in the next generation through scholarships. On April 3, the collective will host the From 404 With Love rooftop party at The Retreat by The Gathering Spot.

On 404 Day itself — April 4 — the celebration begins with the Run Atlanta 404Day! 5K at Underground Atlanta at 9 a.m., followed by the 404 Parade starting at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard. The parade will feature more than 70 organizations, marching bands, dance teams, and floats. A family-friendly block party at Underground Atlanta runs from noon until 9 p.m., with vendors, food, trucks, and a health fair rounding out the day.

404 Day Weekend Atlanta’s Impact

404 Collective Scholarship Gala — Source: **Courtesy of The 404 Collective**

According to Discover Atlanta, the weekend plays a significant role in stimulating the local economy. More than 100,000 people have participated since 2020, generating nearly $3 million for the local economy.

Beyond that, the gala has provided students and local businesses with over $250,000 in scholarships or local grants.

“It’s very important for Black entrepreneurs and businesses like the 404 Collective to collaborate, work together, and collectively use our brilliance and expertise to create and build a better product and bigger impact,” said Jah Rawlings. “We are all passionate and dedicated to a common goal: to serve our city (404).”

The collective accepts donations year-round for its scholarship fund on www.404weekend.com.

ICE, Syracuse Player, Deportation, South Sudan

by Mary Spiller

April 4, 2026

‘If This Is How I’m Leaving, I Never Want To Step Foot In This Country Again’: Former Syracuse Player Accepts Deportation To South Sudan

John Bol Ajak has been held in ICE custody for over a month in connection with an expired student visa.

A former Syracuse Orange men’s basketball player has agreed to be deported to South Sudan after spending more than a month in federal immigration, ICE, custody, concluding a case centered on an expired student visa.

John Bol Ajak, 26, accepted a formal removal order during a virtual hearing on March 2 before an immigration judge in New Jersey.

Presented with the option to leave voluntarily or accept deportation, Ajak chose the latter, saying he wanted to exit the United States as soon as possible.

“If this is how I’m leaving, I never want to step foot in this country again,” Ajak said during the proceedings.

A voluntary departure would have required him to fund his own travel while preserving the possibility of returning legally in the future. By choosing deportation, the U.S. government will handle his removal, but the order may limit his ability to reenter the country later.

During the hearing, Ajak told the court he intends to return to Pawuoi Payam in Twic East County, where much of his family resides. He said both of his parents are currently in Sudan and indicated he does not fear returning. Representing himself, Ajak declined legal counsel.

As reported by Syracuse, Ajak recounted his journey to the United States, explaining that he arrived in 2014 after leaving Kenya to pursue education and basketball opportunities. He later attended Syracuse University and graduated in December 2023 from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He said he recently attempted to enroll in a graduate program there but acknowledged his F-1 visa had expired.

The judge noted that Ajak’s visa lapsed in 2023 following his graduation and that he had a 60-day grace period to depart the country. After overstaying, the Department of Homeland Security established that he was no longer in the U.S. legally.

Ajak was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 18 after being released on pretrial conditions tied to multiple arrests in Syracuse. Records show he faced charges including trespassing, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct across several incidents between December and February.

He was initially held in a federal facility in New York before being transferred to a detention center in Pennsylvania, where he remains.

Ajak played three seasons at Syracuse from 2020 to 2023 as a reserve center, contributing primarily on defense. Reflecting on his college decision, he said, “I came to Syracuse because I wanted to stay rooted and grounded in the African community.”

Born in South Sudan, Ajak fled civil war as an infant and spent years in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to the United States as a teenager. He told the court he had hoped to continue his education and eventually help other refugees find similar opportunities.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2026

Bragging Online Lands 3 Detroit Men In Handcuffs Over Illegal Guns

Acari Reed, Jayvon Randle and Jesse Hunter were arrested after illegal weapons were posted on social media by Reed

Posting illegal weapons on social media led to the arrest of several men in Detroit.

According to Click on Detroit, the three men, Acari Reed, 19, who was indicted on two counts of illegal possession of a machine gun, and Jayvon Randle, 19, and Jesse Hunter, 20, who are also facing a third count of the same charge, were arrested after being discovered with a Glock Model 23. The pistol was reportedly equipped with a “machinegun conversion device,” which converts a semi-automatic pistol into an automatic weapon, referred to as a switch.

Randle and Hunter were allegedly found with a Glock Model 21, which also had a switch.

The men were accused of posting the weapons on Instagram and were indicted on April 1.

In the home where the weapons were found, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) officers stated that other loaded guns were found hidden in a vent.

Court records revealed that the investigation started during a probation check on March 5. Police allegedly went to the residence after being informed that a friend of Reed’s, Randle, was at the home. Officers stated that Reed and Randle “have been validated by law enforcement as members of allied street gangs operating in Detroit.”

When police entered the home, they said that Hunter was also there, and he and Randle began “descending from the upper level of the residence.” The officers found ammunition in a dresser, along with personal legal and medical documents that belonged to Randle and Hunter.

The officers discovered that there were four guns hidden in a vent, with each being loaded with a high-capacity magazine. Three of the four had switches. They allege that a Glock Model 23 with a “black and silver metal MCD” belonged to Reed. One of the guns was a Smith & Wesson Model handgun that was reported stolen on October 23, 2025, and a Glock Model 21 pistol with a camouflage frame and slide, equipped with a purple 3D-printed MCD. That gun was also reported stolen on March 21, 2016.

Federal investigators said that records obtained from Meta showed several photos of a firearm consistent with the Glock. That weapon was purportedly posted on Reed’s account on Jan. 23, 2026, showing the gun being “handled and displayed by another individual” and “left unattended” in the same frame as Reed.

In another post, this time an archived Instagram story by Reed, posted on Feb. 4, 2026, showed him holding two firearms while standing near a third gun, “visually consistent” with the Glock.

Six days after the March 5 search, on March 11, Reed allegedly posted a black-and-white image to his Instagram story showing what appeared to be the multi-colored gun, which is consistent with the Glock.

“Reed applied a black and white filter to the March 11 image, which I believe was done intentionally to obscure the distinctive multi-colored appearance… and hinder its identification,” an ATF Special Agent wrote. Reed also appeared to try to hide the switch on the gun when he posted the picture.

Officers also stated that Reed often referred to having a switch in recorded songs. In his song “Them or Me,” Reynolds wrote that Reed references a “switch” multiple times, including: “I’m a big fish keep this switch,” and later, “…run up on my car and you get switched quick.”

Randle and Hunter are no strangers to the law after both were assigned to Youthful Trainee (HYTA) status arising from deferred convictions for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Felonious Assault) and Felony-Firearm. They were convicted for a beating that both participated in on February 17, 2025. The victim was assaulted by several people, who had stomped on and struck the individual in the face and midsection several times.

On July 3, 2025, Randle was sentenced to two years’ probation, and Hunter was given the same sentence on August 25, 2025.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 3, 2026

Cardi B Scores $20K In Legal Fees After Beating Security Guard’s Lawsuit

This win adds to a streak of successful litigation for the rapper.

Belcalis Almanzar, also known as Cardi B, has secured the right to recover $20,000 in trial costs from a security guard who unsuccessfully sued the rapper for assault.

A Los Angeles County Judge Ian C. Fusselman ruled that the “Bodak Yellow” artist is entitled to $19,690 to cover deposition fees, court reporting, and photocopies. The decision follows a January jury verdict that unanimously rejected Emani Ellis’s claims. Ellis alleged that Cardi scratched her face during a 2018 encounter at a doctor’s office. Additionally, Judge Fusselman rejected Ellis’s attempt to move forward with a retrial, calling the attempt “meritless if not patently frivolous,” Rolling Stone reported.

Furthermore, the Judge believes the debt should be both “reasonable and necessary.” This win adds to a streak of successful litigation for the rapper, who recently celebrated the dismissal of a $50 million copyright lawsuit over her song “Enough (Miami).” By consistently securing these reimbursements, Cardi B is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward what her legal team describes as frivolous litigation targeting high-profile figures.

Judge says the security guard, who claimed Cardi B assaulted her and called her 'big,' has no choice but to pay Cardi’s legal fees after dragging her to court. pic.twitter.com/MDwVajtty4
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) April 3, 2026

While securing thousands from the security guard case, Cardi B remains locked in a multi-million-dollar collection battle against blogger Tasha K. The rapper had been aggressive in her efforts to recover the $4 million defamation judgment awarded in 2022. Tasha K has sought bankruptcy protection and moved her business operations offshore. Cardi’s legal team has successfully blocked the discharge of the debt, forcing a court-approved payment plan.

As of April 2026, Tasha K has been presented with multiple options to repay the rapper. The embattled vlogger can make court-ordered payments of $20,000 per month. The blogger is required to pay nearly $1.2 million over the next five years, with installments increasing annually. The blogger recently launched a fundraiser to help her pay off debt. However, Cardi B’s team continues to demand transparency regarding wire transfers and offshore earnings to ensure the full $4 million is eventually realized.

Trump Has Money For War, But Won’t Insure The Poor

by Kandiss Edwards

April 3, 2026

Trump Has Money For War, But Won’t Insure The Poor

Video of Donald Trump at a closed-door Mar-a-Lago Easter Luncheon has surfaced. During his speech, Trump proclaimed that the United States has a responsibility to pay for war; as a result, helping Americans stay insured is impossible.

Trump stated that it is “not possible” for the United States to continue funding Medicaid, Medicare, and universal daycare at current levels while simultaneously maintaining high levels of military spending and international commitments. He claims that national security does not supersede what he characterized as unsustainable domestic “entitlements.”

Instead, he believes the responsibility of assisting parents and helping a growing population of uninsured Americans should fall to individual states.

“The United States can’t take care of daycare. We’re a big country; we can’t take care of daycare. We have 50 states…We’re fighting wars. You’ve got to let the states take care of daycare, and they should pay for it too. They’re going to have to raise their taxes.” Medicaid, Medicare, all these individual things, they can do it on a state basis,” Trump said.

Trump’s comments suggest a shift in the nation’s 2027 Budget. He stressed that the U.S. is currently “fighting on too many fronts.” Additionally, he claims the financial burden of healthcare and childcare is a “mathematical impossibility” for what Financer reports is the richest country in the world.

Trump argues that reducing the deficit and expanding military budgets are essential for long-term stability. His words suggest that Medicare and Medicaid must undergo structural reform to prevent a “collapse” of the federal budget.

By shifting the responsibility of programs like daycare and Medicaid back to the states or the private sector, the federal government claims it can focus on “core constitutional duties.” While the wellbeing of citizens is touted as the administration’s first priority, border security and national defense. However, cutting these programs would disproportionately affect the elderly, low-income families and the working class. Medicare and Medicaid currently provide health coverage for over 140 million Americans, and any significant reduction in funding could lead to a public health crisis and increased long-term costs.

The White House has yet to release a formal proposal detailing specific cuts. Still, the President’s rhetoric indicates that his second-term domestic agenda will be defined by a hardline approach.

Adrian Autry, Syracuse, Virginia, coach,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2026

Adrian Autry Lands At University Of Virginia Following Syracuse Dismissal

'I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Odom and the Virginia men's basketball program,' Autry said. 'This is a new chapter for me, and I am ready to get to work.'

Former Syracuse University player and coach Adrian Autry has joined head coach Ryan Odom at the University of Virginia as an assistant coach.

The school announced the decision on April 2, reuniting Autry and Odom, both of whom were part of Seth Greenberg’s staff at Virginia Tech from 2008 to 2010.

Sources: Virginia's Ryan Odom has hired former Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry as an assistant.

Odom and Autry worked together at Virginia Tech under Seth Greenberg.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 2, 2026

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Odom and the Virginia men’s basketball program,” Autry said. “This is a new chapter for me, and I am ready to get to work.”

This move was made possible after Syracuse fired Autry, who had worked in the basketball program at the school for the past 15 seasons, the last three as head coach. The school announced that they have decided to go in a different direction by letting Autry, who played for the school from 1990 to 1994, go.

Adrian Autry '94 will not return as head coach of the men's basketball program for the 2026-27 season. A national search for the program's next head coach has commenced and will move expeditiously.https://t.co/2lawDoX4Oo
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 11, 2026

“We are thrilled to add Adrian Autry to our coaching staff at Virginia,” Odom said in a written statement. “His integrity, extensive experience, commitment to player development, and knowledge of the game make him an invaluable addition to our program. I am confident he will help us continue our pursuit of excellence at Virginia. We look forward to welcoming Adrian, his wife, Andrea, and their family to Charlottesville.”

As the head coach at Syracuse, Autry led the team to a 49-48 record. He had a great start in his first year, posting a 20-win season and 11 ACC victories (Atlantic Coast Conference). Before being named head coach, he served as an associate head coach and assistant coach during legendary Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim’s tenure at the school.

In 2016, Autry was honored as a Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction and received the prestigious Vic Hanson Award from the Hardwood Club in 2017.

During his collegiate career as a player, Autry played in 121 games, starting 116, over four seasons at Syracuse. Autry ranks fifth in career assists (631) and sixth in career steals (217) for the basketball program. The team earned NCAA Tournament invitations in 1991, 1992, and 1994. He graduated from Syracuse with a degree in speech communication in 1994.

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Kandiss Edwards

April 3, 2026

Husband Of Murdered Florida Politician Confessed Crime To Police And Family Member

Stephen Bowen is charged with first-degree pre-meditated murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Police documents reveal that Stephen Bowen, the husband of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, confessed to her murder.

Stephen admitted to the killing not only to law enforcement but also to his own family members. Owen Small, Stephen’s uncle, was the catalyst for his arrest. Following Nancy’s murder, Stephen sought out his uncle in an attempt to hide the shotgun used in the murder. Approximately 4 hours after Small’s nephew showed up at his home with the request, the concerned uncle called 911.

Arrest reports obtained by Local 10 revealed Smalls’ claim that Stephen “did something to” Nancy, and the Vice Mayor was no longer alive.

Subsequently, the call to 911 prompted a massive response from the Coral Springs Police Department. Due to the circumstances of the call, the officers were able to enter Stephen and Nancy’s home without a warrant. Her body was discovered with bullet wounds and wrapped in plastic.

Detectives noted that Stephen waived his Miranda rights and provided a voluntary, recorded statement. In his confession, he revealed the details of the domestic dispute between him and his wife, Vice Mayor Nancy Bowen. After verbally sparring, Stephen admitted to retrieving a shotgun and firing the fatal shot. A violent action that he characterized as the breaking point in their relationship.

Local 10 reported on Stephen’s confession to investigators.

“Stephen Bowen explained that he shot her three times with a shotgun the previous night and then slept downstairs. He went on to say that NM was rolled up in a comforter with a garbage bag around her feet,” the arrest report read. “When asked why, Stephen Bowen said that he, ‘Couldn’t take it anymore.’”

He was apprehended in a parking lot in Plantation, Fla., after he attempted to hand off what appeared to be “a firearm-carrying case commonly used to transport rifles and/or shotguns” to a friend and fellow Freemason.

Nancy Metayer Bowen, 38, life was cut short allegedly by her own husband.

Coral Police Department has arrested Stephen Bowen, 40, he is currently being held on No Bond.

Nancy Metayer Bowen was the Vice-Chair of the Florida Democrat Party & Vice Mayor of Coral Springs. pic.twitter.com/k7dckBhYMz
— Southern FFA Family (@FFAFamily) April 3, 2026

Physical evidence at the residence corroborates Stephen’s testimony and Smalls’ information. He is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, according to NBC Miami.

The Broward County State Attorney’s Office requests that the suspect be held in custody without bond. Stephen is scheduled for a formal arraignment early next week, where the state is expected to present the recorded confession as primary evidence.

South Carolina's Supreme Court, White Judges

by Mary Spiller

April 3, 2026

Justice Department Declares Presidential Records Law Unconstitutional, Raising Alarms Over Executive Power

The ruling asserted that there is a requirement to maintain executive authority, and the PRA infringes upon it.

The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded that a key post-Watergate law governing presidential records is unconstitutional, arguing that it places undue limits on executive authority. In a newly disclosed legal opinion, the Department’s Office of Legal Counsel determined that the Presidential Records Act (PRA) exceeds Congress’s authority and improperly interferes with the powers of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The memo, authored by Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, states that the law “aggrandizes the legislative branch” at the expense of the executive branch.

The PRA, enacted in 1978 following the Watergate scandal, requires presidents to preserve official records and transfer them to the National Archives at the end of their term. The law established that such materials belong to the federal government rather than the individual president.

However, the Justice Department’s analysis contends the statute oversteps constitutional boundaries. “The PRA is not a valid exercise of Congress’s Article I authority and unconstitutionally intrudes on the independence and autonomy of the President guaranteed by Article II,” Gaiser wrote. He further described the law as imposing “a permanent and burdensome regime of congressional regulation of the Presidency.”

Based on this interpretation, the opinion concludes that Donald Trump is not obligated to comply with the statute. The decision was made public on April 2, according to CBS News.

The ruling comes after years of legal disputes involving Trump and the handling of presidential records.

In 2023, he faced charges related to allegations that he retained classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence after leaving office and did not promptly return them when requested. Trump denied wrongdoing at the time, maintaining that he was permitted to keep the documents under existing law. The case was ultimately dropped following his return to the presidency.

The Presidential Records Act outlines rules for maintaining official communications, including emails, messages, and other materials tied to presidential duties, while excluding documents considered strictly personal. Although the law establishes requirements for preservation and access, it does not include direct enforcement provisions.

While opinions issued by the Office of Legal Counsel are binding within the executive branch, they are not final if challenged in court. A judicial ruling could ultimately determine whether the law remains enforceable.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 3, 2026

The ‘New Edition Way’ Tour Adds ATL Encore, Delivers Musical Excellence

This tour of legendary acts provided fans with a piece of nostalgia that was well worth the price admission.

New Edition, Toni Braxton, and Boyz II Men performed in Atlanta, Georgia, March 31, delivering a night defined by nostalgia and high energy.

Unlike traditional concerts, The New Edition Way Tour features a rotating lineup of legendary acts. The voices, dance moves, and nostalgia create a top-tier show of 1980s and 1990s R&B excellence—the trio of acts sold out ATL’s State Farm Arena. Demand and excitement were at an all-time high, prompting an additional night April 2.

Boyz II Men

Known for their vocal harmonies, Boyz II Men performed classics such as “Doing Just Fine,” “4 Seasons of Loneliness,” “Motownphilly,” and “One Sweet Day.” The crowd sang along so loudly that the group hardly needed to lead. However, the trio made sure to display their enduring vocals and prove that the microphone is always on.

Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris maintained their smooth, silky vocals. Wanya, known for his vocal runs, added extra flourishes to every song. During “Bended Knee,” one of Boyz II Men’s most popular tracks, Wanya stretched his vocal runs, Stockman’s soprano shone through, and Nathan’s baritone-tenor sound was silky smooth. The group’s theatrics kept the audience entertained throughout the set.

@everydaywithrae_ @BoyzIIMenOfficial @Wanyá Morris #neweditionmywaytour2026 #wanyamorris #fyp #BoyzIIMen #viral ♬ original sound – Raven|CLT Lifestyle Creator💕

Toni Braxton

Braxton, 58, took the stage as an entertainer thriving with lupus and gave the performance her all. As a ’90s diva, Braxton has always set herself apart with a deep, sultry voice that gives R&B a unique feel. Her vocals anchored a stage filled with flamboyant outfits and backup dancers. Braxton leaned into her persona, and though she has dealt with health challenges, she did not shy away from the choreography during her hit “He Wasn’t Man Enough For Me.” The performance allowed fans to celebrate her gift and her resilience simultaneously. Braxton ended her night with her own classic “Unbreak My Heart.” The sad, yet beautiful song displayed her maturing voice before the curtain closed.

@rdelva Seeing Toni perform last night and this Choreo 🔥 just wow !! #tonibraxton #hewasntmanenough #neweditiontour #nyc #concert @Toni Braxton ♬ He Wasn't Man Enough – Toni Braxton

New Edition

For nearly 40 years, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill, have contributed to R&B, collectively and individually. Despite their respective acts, continue to demonstrate their strength in performance and brotherhood on stage. The setlist spanned from their debut album, Candy Girl, to their reunion album, Homecoming. Fans were treated to men on fire, still able and willing to give their all to the craft.

@iamtiffanyn New Edition- Can you stand the rain. #theneweditionwaytour ♬ original sound – I am tiffany n

Bobby “King of R&B” Brown

An endearing aspect of the brotherhood was the care members of NE showed for the “King of R&B,” Bobby Brown. Though he left the group in the early ’90s before returning in the ’00s, his role in the group is indisputable. In the past, Brown has suffered two heart attacks which left many to wonder if he’d ever perform again.

On stage, the original members often gathered behind him, providing support with background vocals, lead vocals, and dance moves which afforded Brown rest to perform at his own pace.

@newedition.live When I say Bobby, you say Brown! . Bobby….👑🔥❤️ . #NewEdition #NewEditionWayTour #KingBobbyBrown #MyPrerogative #TheNewEditionWayTour ♬ original sound – New Edition Live

Alongside New Edition hits, Tresvant performed his solo effort, “Sensitivity.” Johnny Gill slayed “My My My” and brought out surprise guest Keith Sweat to perform LSG’s “My Body.” Brown’s solo bops, “My Prerogative” and “Every Little Step” helped to close out the show. Bell Biv DeVoe performed their cultural juggernaut, “Poison,” which had concert-goers dancing their way out of the arena.

This tour of legendary acts, featuring a trade-off of stage time, provided fans with a piece of nostalgia well worth the price of admission. The New Edition Way Tour has one more night in Atlanta, April 2, after which, they will continue to New Orleans and Houston, Texas. The tour continues into the fall, ending Oct. 17 in New York City.