“Hate Won’t Win” concert draws hundreds

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Hundreds showed up at the Medallion Center in Columbia Thursday night to reinforce the message that “Hate Won’t Win.” Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Tye Tribbett organized the concert of that name. He had planned to host a music entrepreneur conference since January, but after what happened in Charleston, he changed his plans a bit. “These nine families are hurting and we want to come bombard them and the Columbia area, which is going through their own hardships, with just some love,” Tribbett says. Family members of the victims lost at Emanuel AME Church last month were in attendance. Part of the money from ticket sales is going to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund and the Low Country Ministries-Reverend Pinckney Fund. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin says the grace shown by the victims’ families has been used as an example around the world. “They’re obviously very special people, and so I’m glad I get the chance to see that everyone else feels the same way about them,” he says. The line to get into the concert wrapped around the Medallion Center, and through the parking lot. The wait and heat did not get attendees down. “I think this is really a time to enjoy and come together and get your minds off things,” one woman said. “We’re a loving state, and so to see the out pour from that and get the feedback, and actually get the benefits of this concert to go to those families, is definitely touching, and we’re glad they chose Columbia to do it,” said another.