By Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

Changes are in store for millions of current and future Social Security recipients.

Starting April 1, all new Social Security applicants, as well as current beneficiaries wanting to make changes to their accounts, will be required to verify their identity either online with the “my Social Security” service or visit an office in person. In the past, changes could be handled over the telephone.

The changes are part of the agency’s efforts to beef up identification safeguards.

 “Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance,” Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security said in a statement. “For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”

In-person visits will be required for new applications and changes, including providing new direct deposit information. Those changes previously took up to 30 days to be applied but will now be handled in one day, Social Security said.

Applicants who do not or cannot use the online “my Social Security” tool will be allowed to start their claims online but cannot be finished until a person confirms their identification in person.

FOR ONLINE SERVICES

https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/   

click on my Social Security

Tamela and David Mann Announce Highly Anticipated

'THE LIVE BREATHE FIGHT TOUR'

Featuring Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, Karen Clark-Sheard & Kierra Sheard

Powered By Black Promoters Collective, The Live Breathe Fight Tour Invites Audiences to an

Unforgettable Night of Worship, Inspiration, and Music Coming to Cities Nationwide

 Award-winning power couple Tamela and David Mann are bringing faith, family, and phenomenal music together like never before with The Live Breathe Fight Tour – a must-see event uniting some of gospel's most powerful voices. This extraordinary tour will feature Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Kierra Sheard, creating an electrifying atmosphere of praise, worship, and encouragement. 

Launching Thursday, May 15 in Dallas, TX, The Live Breathe Fight Tour is more than just a concert—it's a movement. Designed to uplift, empower, and inspire, each night will deliver an unforgettable experience that blends soul-stirring music with personal testimonies and moments of encouragement.

Presale tickets for local, venue, and The Black Promoters Collective partners will be available starting Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 10AM each venue's local time. The Black Promoters Collective presale code is BPC. General public ticket sales begin Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10AM each venue's local time. Fans can secure their tickets here.

A Night of Iconic Gospel Talent

Grammy® Award-winning singer Tamela Mann—renowned for her chart-topping hits like Working For Me from her latest Live Breathe Fight album and Take Me to the King—will take center stage alongside her husband, actor, and comedian David Mann, who will infuse the evening with his signature humor and uplifting messages.

Joining them are:

• Erica Campbell – One-half of the legendary Mary Mary, Grammy® and Stellar Award-winning gospel powerhouse.
• Tye Tribbett – A dynamic, high-energy worship leader known for hits like Victory and Work It Out.
• Karen Clark-Sheard – Legendary member of The Clark Sisters, bringing her unmatched vocal prowess.
• Kierra Sheard – Multi-talented singer, actress, and songwriter carrying on the family's gospel legacy.

"The Live Breathe Fight Tour is all about faith, resilience, and the power of worship," said Tamela Mann. "We want people to leave encouraged, refreshed, and ready to keep pushing forward no matter what they're facing. LIVE like heaven is your destiny. BREATHE every breath with purpose, and FIGHT until you get the victory."

Her husband David Mann added, "We're bringing music, laughter, and inspiration all under one roof. It's going to be an incredible night for families, friends, and churches to come together and celebrate God's goodness."

Tour Dates:

Thursday, May 15 Fort Worth, TX       

Dickies Arena

Friday, May 16     Memphis, TN                

Landers Center

Saturday, May 17 Tulsa, OK

BOK Center

Sunday, May 18   Houston, TX 

Smart Financial Center

Thursday, May 22 Milwaukee, WI

Fiserv Forum

Friday, May 23    Chicago, IL

Wintrust Arena

Saturday, May 24 Detroit, MI

Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

Sunday, May 25 Cleveland, OH

Wolstein Center

Thursday, May 29 Atlanta, GA

State Farm Arena  

Friday, May 30    Greensboro, NC 

First Horizon Coliseum

Saturday, May 31 Hampton, VA

Hampton Coliseum

Sunday, June 1 Newark, NJ

Prudential Center

or tour dates, ticket information, and VIP experiences, visit BPCtickets.com or follow @DavidandTamela on Instagram and @DavidTamelaMann on Facebook for updates. 

40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

August 14 – 16, 2025

Nashville, Tennessee

Get ready for an unforgettable experience! The 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

are headed to Nashville on August 14-16th. Stay tuned for all the exciting details!

CHAKA KHAN, PATTI LABELLE,

GLADYS KNIGHT & STEPHANIE MILLS
 UNITE FOR HISTORIC TOUR PRODUCED BY BLACK PROMOTERS COLLECTIVE!

NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Music history will be made as four legendary voices come together for a breathtaking evening of vocal brilliance, electrifying energy, and mutual love. The iconic Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills will unite for an unforgettable tour, "The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage." celebrating decades of timeless classics and cherished memories.

The first leg of the 11-city tour kicks off Friday, May 9, in Las Vegas and concludes Sunday, June 1, in Indianapolis. Due to high demand, a second leg featuring nine additional performances will begin Friday, September 19, in Greensboro and wrap up Sunday, October 5, in Cleveland.

"Sharing the stage with my amazing sisters is an absolute honor," says Chaka Khan. "Music is about connection, and this will be a celebration of the joy, power, and love that it brings to us all."

"I am so excited to join these icons, who I call sisters, on this tour! It's going to be something special. And I can't wait to see everyone there," states Patti Labelle.

"I'm thrilled to be touring with the best sisters a woman could be blessed with. We will come together in support of one another and in harmony at a time when love is most needed. Kicking it off in my hometown of Las Vegas makes it even more special," says Gladys Knight.

"I'm excited to tour with my beautiful sisters! Our different styles unite in love, compassion and understanding and it's important to come together now. Performing with Chaka, Patti, and Gladys for you will be electrifying. We can't wait to see you," states Stephanie Mills.

Produced by the Black Promoters Collective (BPC), this once-in-a-lifetime event unites four Grammy-winning and nominated icons who have shaped the sound of generations. Fans will experience a night of unmatched vocal mastery and show-stopping performances.

A Celebration of Musical Excellence

With Chaka Khan's electrifying energy, Patti LaBelle's unmatched vocal acrobatics, Gladys Knight's soulful elegance, and Stephanie Mills' heartfelt ballads, this tour promises an unforgettable journey through the greatest moments in R&B, gospel, pop, and funk.

"To have these four legendary women together on one stage is historic," says Gary Guidry, CEO of Black Promoters Collective. "Each of them has left an indelible mark on the industry, and this tour is a celebration of their artistry, resilience, and legacy."

Tour Dates & Cities

"The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage." will travel to major U.S. cities. A second leg will be announced this summer:

• Friday, May 9 – Las Vegas
• Saturday, May 10 – Oakland
• Sunday, May 11 – Los Angeles
• Friday, May 16 – Columbia, SC
• Saturday, May 17 – Birmingham
• Sunday, May 18 – Nashville
• Friday, May 23 – Baltimore
• Saturday, May 24 – Brooklyn
• Friday, May 30 – Chicago
• Saturday, May 31 – Cincinnati
• Sunday, June 1 – Indianapolis

A Night of Unforgettable Hits

Fans can look forward to live performances of chart-topping classics, including:
 Chaka Khan – Ain't Nobody, I'm Every Woman, Through the Fire
 Patti LaBelle – Lady Marmalade, If Only You Knew, New Attitude
 Gladys Knight – Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
 Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before, Home, I Feel Good All Over

Are you a artist, musician or band looking to get discovered? Submit your music to The House Of Gospel Music and get a chance to be featured on our website!