Divas Pack Dell Music Center for a Powerhouse Concert for AIDS

Sheryl Lee Ralph's benefit concert came to Dell Music Center with Faith Evans, Algebra Blessett, Carol Riddick and more.

By HughE Dillon· 8/24/2015, 11:17 a.m.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is working hard to spread the important message of HIV/AIDS awareness through her DIVAS (Divinely Inspired Victoriously AWARE) Simply Singing concert. The 25th annual benefit show, which claims to be the longest, consecutive-running musical AIDS benefit in the country, played Saturday night to a packed house at the Dell Music Center.

The show featured soul-stirring performances by some of the most talented women in entertainment, including Faith Evans, A’ngela Winbush, Meli’sa Morgan, Monifah, Candace Benson, Philly’s Carol Riddick and more. The event featured on-site testing and testimonies of those who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS, including Revevernd Rae Lewis Thorton, an Emmy Award-winning activist who has lived with HIV/AIDS for over two decades.

Check out my photos of the evening below:

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Sheryl Lee Ralph opens DIVAS Simply Singing at the Dell Music Center.

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Melba Moore

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Rapper Yo-Yo

Reverend Rae Lewis Thorton, Emmy Award-winning AIDS activist, discusses what it's like to live with HIV/AIDS for over two decades.

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Sheryl Lee Ralph with her Glam Squad

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Sheryl Lee Ralph in another gorgeous outfit. Not only does she run the longest-running HIV/AIDS benefit, I think she now holds the record for costume changes. She changed her outfit about nine times during the duration of the concert.

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Sheryl Lee Ralph introduces Kelly Price, who was looking fabulous.

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Anthony Wayne in character as Sylvester. Sheryl Lee Ralph is a collaborator in bringing the musical about the legendary singer to Broadway, after it's successful run off Broadway.

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Senator Vincent Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph, are joined by their kids, Ivy-Victoria Maurice and Etienne Maurice, on stage. The couple renewed their vows on stage with Pastor Campbell, who was supposed to do the honors 10 years ago, but couldn't make it.

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Carol Riddick

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Algebra Blessett sang "Nobody But You," and asked members of the audience to pull out their cell phones and Periscope the concert.

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Sheryl Lee Ralph started her awareness concert when. as a young woman. she saw many of her friends fall ill and die from HIV/AIDS. They weren't getting the help from the community she thought they should have, so she wanted to step up. That's how "Diva's Simply Singing" came about.