| Saturday 20 November 1999 |
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An evening of stars
The United Negro College Fund launches the year 2000 with 'An evening of stars: a celebration of educational excellence'. Lou Rawls, Debbie Allen, Star Jones and Lynn Whitfield host national telecast focusing on college education for minority youth in the new millennium Saturday, January 8.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will kick-off the year 2000 with its annual fund-raising gala, "An evening of stars: a celebration of educational excellence," which will air on approximately 70 top television stations Saturday, January 8 (check local listings for station, date and times). Hosted by Lou Rawls, Debbie Allen, Star Jones and Lynn Whitfield, the four-hour special will feature concert performances by superstar recording artists, including Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Barry White, Earth, Wind and Fire, and many more. In addition, there will be special celebrity guest appearances that include Quincy Jones, Gen. Colin Powell, Tom Joyner, and Barry Bonds.
The star-studded telecast will be UNCF's first national event of the new millennium. "An evening of stars" showcases an evening of electrifying concert performances by some of music's hottest acts and inspirational words of support by today's top stars. It also offers an in-depth view of UNCF's mission to provide opportunities for deserving young men and women to fulfill their dream of a college education. Through a series of compelling portraits and personal testimonials, the special will highlight the many success stories of the organization's students, alumni and UNCF member colleges and universities. A convenient toll-free number is provided to allow viewers the opportunity to pledge financial contributions throughout the broadcast.
"The enthusiastic support of our celebrity hosts, performers, corporate sponsors and television stations helps UNCF take our mission of securing a college education for deserving youth right into America's living rooms. Thanks to people across the country, last year's event raised a record $13 million in cash and pledges," says William H. Gray, III, president and chief executive officer of the UNCF. "As we move into a new century, it is urgent that we continue to recognize the necessity of higher education. We are in a technology-driven information era that is creating a wealth of new opportunities. For the betterment of our nation, it is important that we help talented, bright, and deserving youth have the ability to grasp these new opportunities and achieve their goals."
"An Evening of Stars" also pays tribute to the UNCF's host of corporate partners, detailing the vital role they play in assisting the organization to provide much-needed scholarships and educational programs. This year's national corporate sponsors are American Airlines, AT&T, Chase, Daimler-Chrysler, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Prudential.
Emmy Award-winner Louis J. Horvitz returns to direct and produce the upcoming special. "An evening of stars" will be seen in every major television market in the country, including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Houston.
The United Negro College Fund is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization in the country. UNCF has been named "the number one educational, non-profit organization in America" by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 1999, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made an historic move. It named UNCF as the administrator of Gates Millennium Scholars Program, an $1 billion, 20-year initiative to provide financial assistance to high-achieving African American, Hispanic American, Native American and Asian-Pacific American students who are in severe financial need and otherwise would be excluded from higher education.
UNCF is a fund-raising consortium of 39 private, fully accredited four-year historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). As an educational assistance organization, The College Fund provides operating assistance to its member colleges and universities, administers over 450 programs for African American students, provides technical assistance for HBCUs, and conducts research and data collection on African American education. In its 55-year history, UNCF has raised over $1.4 billion to promote higher education achievement in the African American community and has helped to graduate over 300,000 African Americans from undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
"An evening of stars: a celebration of educational excellence" airs on January 9 in some markets. The United Negro College Fund website address is www.uncf.org. (Entertainment Wire)
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