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Don’t miss UNCF - the United Negro College Fund’s 31st annual television special, “An Evening of Stars,” (AEOS) on BET, Sunday, January 24 at 10 PM/9C.
 January 5, 2010 - Tune in for an all-star lineup of performers and presenters celebrating the career of mega superstar Lionel Richie. Richie, a graduate of the prestigious UNCF member school, Tuskegee University, will receive this year’s Award of Excellence for his longtime support of education.
“It is such an honor to receive this award from UNCF,” said Lionel Richie. “I am a product of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and that experience has had a tremendous influence on my life. I understand the importance of a college education and the impact it can have on our children and our nation. I am honored to join stars like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson and Patti LaBelle, who have received UNCF’s Award of Excellence and who support UNCF and its students.”
Richie becomes the seventh recipient of UNCF’s prestigious Award of Excellence, the highest honor for a career in music and the performing arts. With 20 Top 10 hits and sales of more than 60 million albums to his credit, the Alabama native follows in the footsteps of previous recipients Lou Rawls (2004), Quincy Jones (2005), Stevie Wonder (2006), Aretha Franklin (2007), Smokey Robinson (2008) and Patti LaBelle (2009).
This year’s roster of performers includes nine-time Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole, Akon, Jesse McCartney, Grammy Award winner Chrisette Michele, Boney James, Katharine McPhee, Ledisi, Johnny Gill, James Ingram, Brian McKnight, Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell and 25-time Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder.
Presenters include Tom Joyner, Shemar Moore, Terrence Howard, Romeo, Cedric The Entertainer, Justin Chambers, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Gina Ravera, Tracie Thoms, Regina King, Lauren Vélez, Paige Hurd, Terry Crews, Suzanne de Passe, Merri Dee, "Extra’s" AJ Calloway and "Access Hollywood’s" Shaun Robinson.
Michael Jackson is honored in a special segment recalling the King of Pop’s generosity and foresight through endowing a UNCF scholarship in his name that continues to provide aid more than 20 years later. Richie’s worldwide hit, “We Are The World,” the biggest-selling single of all time that he penned with Jackson, is also remembered in an emotional performance by Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, James Ingram and Erica Campbell.
Making special appearances are Quincy Jones, Ne-Yo, Nicole Richie and Will.I.Am.
Don’t miss this star-studded event. Tune in Sunday, January 24 at 10 PM/9C for “An Evening of Stars,” featuring Lionel Richie. To learn more, visit http://www.uncf.org/aeos/.
STAR POWER – MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A tribute with a purpose, “An Evening of Stars,” helps raise awareness and dollars for UNCF, America’s oldest, largest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. The fund supports historically Black private colleges and universities and thousands of deserving students each year. UNCF launched “STAR POWER,” its second AEOS online campaign. STAR POWER gives Americans a chance to help deserving students go to college. From September 12, 2009 through January 25, 2010, education supporters will be able to join regional teams to help UNCF raise awareness for minority education and raise funds to help students go to college. To learn more, visit http://www.uncf.org/aeos/ and click on the STAR POWER icon.
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