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BMAC Partners with Live Nation to Offer Emerging Professionals Behind-the-Scenes Access to Chris Brown and Ushers R&B Tour
BMAC has opened a rare backstage window for a handful of up‑and‑coming live‑music professionals, letting them shadow the mechanics of a stadium‑scale headline run. In a new partnership with Live Nation, the coalition will place up to ten participants at select stops of Chris Brown and Usher’s forthcoming R&B Tour.
The R&B Tour launched in late June 2026 at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High, a venue that holds 85,000 fans. Over the next six months, the co‑headlining show will visit more than 30 cities across the United States and Canada—Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and others—before concluding on 11 December at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, which seats 75,000. The full schedule, released on 14 April 2026, lists 33 dates.
BMAC announced the program on 4 May 2026, stating that selected participants will be invited to a dozen U.S. tour stops. They will observe Live Nation’s production, operations, logistics, and planning teams in action, gaining insight into the collaboration required to run a stadium‑level event. According to BMAC, the experience offers a “unique opportunity to go beyond the stage and experience the collaboration, expertise, and preparation required to produce a stadium tour of this scale.”
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC’s co‑founder, president and CEO, said the initiative is designed to open doors for the next generation of industry leaders. “Working with two of the most influential artists of the current era—Chris Brown and Usher—adds meaningful context to the learning experience,” he added.
Founded in 2020, BMAC is an advocacy organization that tackles systemic racism in the music industry and beyond. Its executive leadership council has recently expanded to include Omar Al‑joulani and Colin Lewis of Live Nation, Mona Scott‑Young of Monami Entertainment, former music executive and professor Jerry Clark, and Jennifer Drake of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
The partnership with Live Nation fits into BMAC’s broader strategy to provide industry‑relevant training. Live Nation, the world’s largest live‑entertainment company, operates more than 300 venues worldwide and manages ticket sales for a wide range of events. The two organizations have previously collaborated on the BMAC Live Accelerator Program, a week‑long intensive course that teaches various aspects of the live‑music industry by industry leaders.
The R&B Tour itself is a high‑profile event that brings together two Grammy‑winning artists. Chris Brown, who has sold over 140 million records worldwide, and Usher, who has sold more than 100 million records, have both been recognized for their influence on contemporary R&B. Their joint tour is expected to draw large crowds, with stadium capacities ranging from 75,000 to 85,000.
For the selected participants, the program will expose them to the logistical challenges of running a multi‑city stadium tour—stage design, sound and lighting, artist coordination, security, and crowd management. The experience is intended to complement the academic and professional training that many emerging music‑industry professionals receive.
Applications for the BMAC Live Accelerator Program are currently open. Interested candidates can apply through the BMAC website. The program is fully funded and includes travel and accommodation for the duration of the tour stops.
The initiative reflects a growing trend of industry organizations offering practical, on‑the‑ground training to address skill gaps in the live‑music sector. By combining BMAC’s advocacy mission with Live Nation’s operational expertise, the program aims to create a pipeline of professionals who are better prepared to navigate the complexities of large‑scale live events.
In summary, BMAC’s new program offers a rare opportunity for a small group of emerging professionals to observe the inner workings of a major stadium tour. The partnership with Live Nation and the involvement of high‑profile artists Chris Brown and Usher provide a unique learning environment that aligns with BMAC’s goal of fostering diversity and inclusion in the music industry.
The R&B Tour launched in late June 2026 at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High, a venue that holds 85,000 fans. Over the next six months, the co‑headlining show will visit more than 30 cities across the United States and Canada—Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and others—before concluding on 11 December at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, which seats 75,000. The full schedule, released on 14 April 2026, lists 33 dates.
BMAC announced the program on 4 May 2026, stating that selected participants will be invited to a dozen U.S. tour stops. They will observe Live Nation’s production, operations, logistics, and planning teams in action, gaining insight into the collaboration required to run a stadium‑level event. According to BMAC, the experience offers a “unique opportunity to go beyond the stage and experience the collaboration, expertise, and preparation required to produce a stadium tour of this scale.”
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC’s co‑founder, president and CEO, said the initiative is designed to open doors for the next generation of industry leaders. “Working with two of the most influential artists of the current era—Chris Brown and Usher—adds meaningful context to the learning experience,” he added.
Founded in 2020, BMAC is an advocacy organization that tackles systemic racism in the music industry and beyond. Its executive leadership council has recently expanded to include Omar Al‑joulani and Colin Lewis of Live Nation, Mona Scott‑Young of Monami Entertainment, former music executive and professor Jerry Clark, and Jennifer Drake of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
The partnership with Live Nation fits into BMAC’s broader strategy to provide industry‑relevant training. Live Nation, the world’s largest live‑entertainment company, operates more than 300 venues worldwide and manages ticket sales for a wide range of events. The two organizations have previously collaborated on the BMAC Live Accelerator Program, a week‑long intensive course that teaches various aspects of the live‑music industry by industry leaders.
The R&B Tour itself is a high‑profile event that brings together two Grammy‑winning artists. Chris Brown, who has sold over 140 million records worldwide, and Usher, who has sold more than 100 million records, have both been recognized for their influence on contemporary R&B. Their joint tour is expected to draw large crowds, with stadium capacities ranging from 75,000 to 85,000.
For the selected participants, the program will expose them to the logistical challenges of running a multi‑city stadium tour—stage design, sound and lighting, artist coordination, security, and crowd management. The experience is intended to complement the academic and professional training that many emerging music‑industry professionals receive.
Applications for the BMAC Live Accelerator Program are currently open. Interested candidates can apply through the BMAC website. The program is fully funded and includes travel and accommodation for the duration of the tour stops.
The initiative reflects a growing trend of industry organizations offering practical, on‑the‑ground training to address skill gaps in the live‑music sector. By combining BMAC’s advocacy mission with Live Nation’s operational expertise, the program aims to create a pipeline of professionals who are better prepared to navigate the complexities of large‑scale live events.
In summary, BMAC’s new program offers a rare opportunity for a small group of emerging professionals to observe the inner workings of a major stadium tour. The partnership with Live Nation and the involvement of high‑profile artists Chris Brown and Usher provide a unique learning environment that aligns with BMAC’s goal of fostering diversity and inclusion in the music industry.