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The United Negro College Fund helps thousands of college students with the financial help they need to achieve their higher education goals. One of the ways that they raise money is via their annual star-studded special, the UNCF Evening of Stars. This special event, hosted this year by “Guys With Kids” star Anthony Anderson, features leading performers and deserving students who are benefiting from the scholarships UNCF oversees.

This year, BET will broadcast “Evening of Stars” on Sunday, January 28 at 10 p.m. ET.  (The show also premieres in syndication around the country on January 27th.) Performers and presenters include Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Trey Songz, Melanie Fiona, Eric Benet, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Keyshia Cole and Tyrese. Usher will present a four-year scholarship to high school senior Ammon Lyle of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chaka Khan, Kevin Hart and Steve Harvey will make special scholarship presentations as well.

I hope everybody tunes in and donates from the bottom of their hearts and the bottom of their pockets,” said Anderson. “Unfortunately, over 60,000 students apply for scholarships and financial aid every year and UNCF is able to award scholarships to just 15,000 who need help going to college. That’s why I’m a part of what UNCF is doing and I’m here for the long run.”

UNCF provides financial assistance to students attending its 38 member colleges and in addition, the organization provides funds to those schools to assist with operating expenses and to keep tuitions down. There are over 400 programs under the UNCF umbrella including The Gates Millennium Scholarship program that awards 4-year full scholarships to qualifying students, the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative, which assists students in engineering and science and the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid program that helps students in need to graduate.  Over time the UNCF has provided over $615 million dollars to approximately 50,000 students to help them complete their educations.

“We are very excited to be a part of this inspirational night,” says BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra Lee. “Historically black colleges and universities hold a special and important role in the African American community and we are honored to help raise funds and awareness to support the education of the next generation of leading African American professionals.”

For more information or to donate to the UNCF, go to www.uncf.org

(Photo: Retna)