National Television Broadcast of UNCF An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Chaka Khan Presented by Target

FAIRFAX, Va., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  UNCF -- the United Negro College Fund -- will broadcast UNCF An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Chaka Khan presented by Target nationally on more than 40 stations in major markets on Saturday, January 29 and on Sunday, January 30 on BET Networks at 10 p.m. ET and WGN America at 3:00 a.m. CT.  For a complete list of stations and additional information, visit www.AnEveningofStars.org.

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With more than 40 years in music behind her, Grammy-winning soulstress Chaka Khan will be serenaded from the UNCF An Evening of Stars® stage by an all-star lineup of entertainers as she is presented with the UNCF Award of Excellence.  The award is given to an artist whose career and support of UNCF and minority education has been exemplary.

The roster of performers includes Stevie Wonder, Fantasia, Angie Stone, Melanie Fiona, Ledisi, El DeBarge, Estelle, Faith Evans, Ginuwine, Bettye LaVette, Herbie Hancock, Indira Khan and Mark Stevens. The parade of celebrities joining UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax in celebrating Khan's career include Mo'Nique, Akon, LeVar Burton, Kim Coles, Taraji P. Henson, Quincy Jones, Tom Joyner, CNN's Soledad O'Brien, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Amber Riley, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Tracie Thoms, Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson, Lauren Velez and a special taped appearance by Mary J. Blige.

"This year's UNCF An Evening of Stars® is exciting and filled with high-energy performances of Chaka Khan's greatest hits such as 'Tell Me Something Good,' 'What Cha Gonna Do for Me?' and many others from her extensive song book, as we celebrate not only her contribution to the music industry but her dedication to minority education," said Dr. Lomax. "We are grateful for the support of all of our celebrities, sponsors and supporters, who understand the importance of education and are helping UNCF ensure that every child gets a good education from pre-school through college."

The stars on the UNCF An Evening of Stars® stage contributed not only their renditions of Khan's greatest hits, but special appeals to help UNCF students whose graduation is threatened by the lingering recession.  Layoffs, pay cuts, and the disappearance of many private student loan programs have left students owing money for tuition, text books, and dormitory rooms--bills that must be paid before they can graduate.  From the stage and in videotaped appeals, celebrities ask the show audience and television viewers to text "UNCF" to 50555 on their cell phones to donate $10 to help students walk the last mile of their education.  To learn more, visit www.uncf.org and click on the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid icon.

Target serves as the Presenting Sponsor of UNCF An Evening of Stars®.  National corporate sponsors include AT&T and McDonald's.  Longtime UNCF partner Wells Fargo is an official sponsor along with BET Networks and WGN America.  Other sponsors include national media partner Clear Channel, major sponsor U.S. Army and American Airlines is the official airline of UNCF An Evening of Stars®.

Six-time Emmy Award winner Louis J. Horvitz is executive producer and director of UNCF An Evening of Stars®.

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. Over its 32-year 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, Beyonce, 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 and its 2008 tribute to Smokey Robinson. Learn more about UNCF An Evening Of Stars® at www.uncf.org.

About UNCF

UNCF --the 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 39 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education.  UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. 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.

-UNCF-

Related Links

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UNCF celebrates 32nd Anniversary of UNCF An Evening Of Stars

SOURCE United Negro College Fund