Talladega College will present a special tribute concert in celebration of the Investiture of Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr. as the College’s 22nd President, featuring renowned Grammy Award–winning artist and Broadway icon Jennifer Holliday. The concert will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CT in the Henry Swift DeForest Chapel on the Talladega College campus.
The tribute concert will honor the significance of the presidential investiture while celebrating the rich cultural and artistic legacy that aligns with Talladega College’s historic mission of academic excellence, leadership, and service. Tickets for the tribute concert and other investiture events are available for purchase online at www.talladega.edu/investiture.
In conjunction with the Investiture Celebration, Talladega College is launching a renewed philanthropic initiative to support President Todd’s bold and transformative vision to Reimagine Liberal Arts for a new era. This effort seeks to expand interdisciplinary learning, strengthen academic innovation, and elevate the student experience. A central priority of this initiative is the strategic expansion of scholarship
support, ensuring that talented and deserving students—regardless of financial
circumstance—can not only access a Talladega education, but persist, thrive, and
graduate prepared to lead and serve. Support generated during the Investiture will directly empower students, fuel academic excellence, and help position Talladega College as a national leader in liberal arts innovation.
Jennifer Holliday’s appearance marks a highlight of the multi-day investiture celebration, bringing to campus one of the most powerful and influential voices in American musical and theatrical history. A Broadway legend in every sense, Holliday rose to international prominence for her iconic portrayal of Effie “Melody” White in the 1981 smash hit Dreamgirls. Her unforgettable performance earned her both a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for the show-stopping anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Holliday’s extraordinary journey began in Houston, Texas, where she sang as a young soloist at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. At just 17 years old, she was discovered while singing in her church choir and soon made her way to New York City. By age 19, she made her Broadway debut in the revival of Your Arms Are Too Short to Box with God, launching a career that would forever shape musical theater and popular music.
Her acclaimed recording career includes multiple Grammy Awards, including a second win for her rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday.” From 1985 to 1992, Holliday charted five Top 10 singles on the R&B and Dance charts and collaborated with legendary artists such as Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, David Foster, Paul Simon, Maurice White, and Foreigner, among others. Her voice has also been featured in numerous film soundtracks, including The Five Heartbeats, Amazing Grace, and Why Did I Get Married.
In recent years, Holliday has continued to captivate audiences through television appearances on American Idol, The Masked Singer, and Ally McBeal, as well as her return to Broadway in The Color Purple alongside Cynthia Erivo. She remains an active touring artist, performing solo concerts around the world.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Holliday is a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, the National MS Society, and an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Talladega College is honored to welcome Jennifer Holliday to campus for this memorable tribute concert, underscoring the College’s commitment to celebrating excellence, culture, and leadership during this historic investiture moment.
For more information about the Investiture of Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr. and to purchase tickets, visitwww.talladega.edu/investiture.
