LkldNow’s 2026 “Candid Conversations: Behind the Game” will feature Ahmad Black — Lakeland native, Gators national champion, and former NFL safety — and Mike Nabors — Emmy-winning broadcast journalist and Florida Southern College (FSC) professor. 

On Thursday, Sept. 24, they’ll be tackling football, the Lakeland community, and what’s next for the game, at FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium.

This year, ticket sales raise money to help expand our coverage into local sports. We think high school and college sports are incredibly important to community life in Lakeland. But as traditional media shrinks, so too has sports reporting. We want to change that by increasing local athletic coverage. Maybe we’ll cover the next Ahmad Black or Pouncey brothers. We can’t do that without your help and investment in our journalism.

As a nonprofit news organization, LkldNow was founded to provide news coverage that is always free to read. But, coverage isn’t free to produce. Our annual Candid Conversations help fund reporting on city hall, economic development, arts and culture, and quality of life topics in Lakeland.

What: “LkldNow’s Candid Conversations: Behind the Game”
When: Thursday, Sept. 24, 5:30 PM VIP, 6:30 PM Program
Where: Florida Southern College, Branscomb Auditorium, 1100 Johnson Ave
Tickets: $65 General Admission, $125 VIP
For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.lkldnow.com/behind-the-game/

SEND CORRECTIONS, questions, feedback or news tips: newstips@lkldnow.com

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