Our Stars Took the Stage at UAB's Welcome Back Concert!

Regenerate Society, Inc. members Jo’Van Hanna (left) & Amari Hickman (right) in front of the stage at UAB’s Welcome Back Concert in Bartow Arena.

The Regenerate Society, Inc. left another imprint on the students & faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham this past weekend!

Opening up the 2024 Welcome Back Concert for one of the “loudest” legends of Southern music & Grammy award-winning artist, Lil’ Jon, Regenerate Society, Inc. members, Amari Hickman (Class of 2023) and Jo’Van Hanna (Class of 2020), kicked off the event held for the first time in the historic Bartow Arena! With smooth songs, serenades, and Swahili-style, these two etched their name into history the only way your favorite Green Team can!

The UAB crowd lights up Bartow Arena with their cellphones in support of Hickman’s performance.

Hickman, a UAB senior, was selected to be one of two student representatives to open the night. Having never performed publicly coming into 2024, our Season Launch Talent Showcase put her vocal skills on display for the world this past January. Now only seven months later, Amari had the entire UAB student body lighting cellphones in support of her rendition of Snoh Aalegra’s, “I Want You Around.”

Hanna leads his band, Swanglish, with a rap verse on their song “Mambo Vipi.”

Hanna, an alumnus of the host university, is no stranger to rocking large UAB stages with his lyrical prowess! Serving as 1/3 of the Christian Rap group, Greater Than Never, Hanna last performed for UAB at this same show in 2015, opening for Grammy-award winning recording artist, B.O.B. A homecoming for him, Hanna returned to his Alma mater standing side-by-side with his new Swahili/Rap fusion super group, Swanglish! Swanglish represented the concert’s co-sponsor, UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, as a preview of the artists selected to perform at their upcoming UAB Arts Block Party taking place on Friday, September 13th, 2024! The band took us on an African/American journey that set the stage perfectly for Lil Jon to follow directly after.

Hickman stands with VIP students during a Meet & Greet with headlinging artist, Lil Jon.

We are tremendously proud of both members for their work this past Saturday, and look forward to what’s next as we continue to support them in their creative journies!

Make sure to check out Jo’Van’s band, Swanglish, performing this Friday, LIVE AND FOR FREE at UAB Arts’ upcoming Block Party! For more information, visit the UAB Alys Stephens Center to RSVP.

Hanna (middle left) and Hickman (far right) capture a moment with attending Regenerate Society, Inc. Founding members, Sheleka Laseter (far left) & Abigail Little (middle right).