UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS® Presented By Target Celebrates The Power of Education

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will broadcast UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^® Presented by Target nationally in major markets on Saturday, January  28^th  and January 29^th  and on BET Networks at 11 p.m. EST/PST and 10 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 29^th.  For a complete list of stations and additional information, visit www.AnEveningofStars.org.

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The combination of headliners like legendary songstress Patti LaBelle, singer Erykah Badu, singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton and R&B star Ledisi with star students whose education has been made possible by UNCF makes the program a high-voltage celebration of the best in music and the best in education.  Patti LaBelle's powerhouse performance of "When You've Been Blessed"; Estelle's heartfelt rendition of "Break My Heart"; Anthony Hamilton's soul-stirring performance of "Fine Again" and Miguel's eclectic sound on "Sure Thing" bring the audience to its feet.  And UNCF student success stories celebrate the power of education—like the story of the junior who served in Iraq before returning to college, the senior whose undergraduate record won her a coveted slot in Teach For America, and the Florida college graduate who became the youngest person to fly solo around the world—make the capacity Pasadena Civic Auditorium crowd proud of both the students and the organization.

"This year's UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^® is filled with high energy performances, combining the hottest talent with inspirational stories of young students who are beating the odds because they can receive a good education," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO.  "We are grateful for the support of all our celebrities, sponsors and contributors, who understand the importance of 'Educating our Future' and giving students the opportunity to earn college degrees that will enable them to lead successful and fulfilling lives."

Additional highlights of the evening's 10 performances include:  Marsha Ambrosius' sultry sound of "Far Away"; Jill Scott's soulful rendition of her hit "So Blessed"; Musiq Soulchild's blazing performance on his hit single "Yes"; a crowd-amping group number of "Shining Star"; and BET's "106 & Park" host Terrence J sharing his inspiring testimony on how UNCF helped start his professional career after receiving a scholarship which included an internship at a radio station.  

In addition to performers, this year's UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^® Presented by Target includes special appearances by Tatyana Ali ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), Pooch Hall (BET's "The Game"), Jill Marie Jones (CW's "Girlfriends"), Coby Bell (BET's "The Game"), David Banner (Stomp The Yard 2), Sean Patrick Thomas (Save The Last Dance), Lance Gross (TBS's "House Of Payne"), Sheryl Underwood (CBS's "The Talk"), Terrence J (BET's "106 & Park"), Monique Jackson and Kita Williams (VH1's "The TO Show"), Shaun Robinson ("Access Hollywood"), Kenny Smith (TNT's "Inside the NBA"), Brian White (TNT's "Men of a Certain Age") and the national presidents of the Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

The stars on the UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^®  stage not only shared their hottest hits but made special appeals to help UNCF students who are committed to getting to and through college. From the stage, celebrities asked the show audience and television viewers to text "UNCF" to 50555 on their cell phones to donate $10 to help students secure their education and their future. Viewers are also encouraged to visit www.UNCF.org to make larger donations to help young men and women get their college degrees.

This year's show is made possible by Target, Presenting Sponsor of UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^®, and National Sponsors McDonald's and AT&T. Official and Major Sponsors include American Airlines, Wells Fargo, BET Networks, Buick and the U.S Army.

For more information, please visit www.uncf.org and www.bet.com/uncf. Also, follow UNCF on Twitter: @UNCF (#EveningOfStars).

*All times are ET/PT.

About UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^®
UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS^®, formerly the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars^®, first aired in 1979, and since that time has become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history. UNCF An Evening of Stars^® has raised more than $200 million that has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend college and graduate.  In recent years, UNCF An Evening Of Stars^® has featured a Who's Who of remarkable talent, including Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Chaka Khan, Ne-Yo, Nancy Wilson, Beyoncé, Anita Baker, Jill Scott, Whoopi Goldberg, Fantasia, Joss Stone, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Hall and Oates, Ziggy Marley, Maroon 5, and scores of others. UNCF An Evening of Stars^® received NAACP Image Awards for its 2006 tribute to Stevie Wonder, its 2008 tribute to Smokey Robinson and its 2010 tribute to Lionel Richie. Learn more about UNCF An Evening of Stars^® at www.UNCF.org.

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization.  To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 38 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education.  UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs.  UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees.  The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."^® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.

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UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS®                 
An Evening of Stars website                      
UNCF                       
BET and UNCF                   
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