A mentor to students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is leading a group of talented young singers from the Magic City to the bright lights of national television.
The Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir, from Birmingham, Alabama, brought joy to viewers of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” at the competition’s auditions, which aired in July. The choir’s soul-stirring mashup of the traditional hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” with Pharrell’s modern gospel anthem, “JOY (Unspeakable),” brought goosebumps to viewers. See the “AGT” performance.
The powerful performance earned judge Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, securing them a spot in the upcoming Season 20 quarterfinals and allowing them to bypass further auditions. Gold confetti rained down and a standing ovation roared from judges and audience alike, while choir members, some stunned, some weeping, hugged judges and family members on stage.
“America’s Got Talent” hosts a wide range of performers, from singers and dancers to magicians, comedians and novelty acts, all vying for national renown and a $1 million prize. Each season begins with auditions judged by a celebrity panel. Acts that impress the judges move on to the live rounds. The Golden Buzzer allows each judge to send one act directly to the live shows, where contestants perform weekly in front of a live audience in Los Angeles.
Ahkeem Lee, the choir’s founder and director, works as a mentor to the choir’s members, as well as to students at UAB. Lee is assistant director in the UAB Office of Student Engagement Enrichment and advises students in the Blazer Mentorship Collective, a comprehensive mentorship program designed to increase retention and enhance the holistic well-being and success of at-risk students. The program offers need-based and matriculation mentorship. Students in the peer mentor branch are partnered with a returning student to provide information on navigating the collegiate experience inside and outside of the classroom.
A lifelong Birmingham resident and graduate of Ramsay High School who holds degrees in history and higher education, Lee says his work at UAB has directly influenced the choir’s structure and mission.
“A lot of the skills I have learned running the mentorship program have translated to the choir,” he said. “It’s not just about singing — it’s about building community.”
A Magic City youth choir with UAB connections has earned a place in television history and will compete in the show’s live quarterfinals Sept. 9-10. The choir, which Lee founded the summer before starting college, began as a one-time concert idea. But after overwhelming interest from young people wanting to join, it evolved into a lasting community institution. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the choir has performed for dignitaries including former Senator Doug Jones and at events like the City of Birmingham’s Unity Breakfast.
Today, the choir includes 41 members, more than half of whom are under 18, and rehearses twice weekly at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. Though rooted in Lee’s home church, it is a community choir, drawing members from various congregations across the city. Beyond music, the group emphasizes mentorship, pairing younger members with college students and young adults to foster growth and support.
Current choir members with UAB connections include Essence Jones, a UAB graduate and employee, recent graduate Jamya Handley, and graduates Shardez Craighead, Michaia Gardner,
Kourtney Steen and Deja Stephens.
Their journey to “America’s Got Talent” began after a ’90s-themed anniversary concert — thus the bright T-shirts and denim overalls — last year, where a video of their performance of “Joy” went viral, racking up over 500,000 views on YouTube and 3 million on Instagram. That exposure led to an invitation from “AGT” producers, and the choir taped their audition in Pasadena, California, in March.
Now the choir is preparing for the quarterfinals, with their performances set for Sept. 9-10. They will spend two weeks in Los Angeles rehearsing, designing their stage setup and preparing for the live shows. On-set teachers will ensure the younger members stay on track academically. Adults in the choir are making sacrifices to balance work, family and travel so they can be there, Lee says.
Public voting will determine who advances. The format includes performance episodes followed by results episodes, where the fate of each act is revealed. Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B are the show’s other judges, with host Terry Crews. The show continues to be a launchpad for aspiring entertainers, blending emotional storytelling with high-stakes competition.
As Lee reflects on the choir’s journey, he is proud of how far they have come.
“Ten years later, we are still here, doing great things in and outside the city,” he said. “It’s been a great platform all around.”