The United Negro College Fund Honors Stevie Wonder at the 27th Annual An Evening of Stars(R)

The United Negro College Fund Honors Stevie Wonder at the 27th Annual An Evening of Stars(R)

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced legendary songwriter, musician and singer, Stevie Wonder will receive an all-star tribute for his lifetime achievement on UNCF's annual televised fund-raiser, An Evening of Stars(R). The four-hour tribute will be recorded at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California on September 9th and 10th, 2005. An Evening of Stars(R) will air nationwide in over 65 markets, January 5th, 6th and 7th, 2006.

Over the 26-year history of An Evening of Stars(R), Stevie Wonder has dazzled audiences and viewers nearly a dozen times with his brilliant performances of songs we all know and love. This year UNCF will pay homage to Stevie for his continuous support of the organization's efforts to raise money through its most popular and successful televised fund-raiser. Stevie Wonder will receive what has become one of UNCF's greatest honors, an all-star tribute for his contributions to the music industry and role as a worldwide humanitarian and philanthropist.

Stevie Wonder has contributed nearly four decades to the music industry, scoring more than 30 top ten hits, 11 #1 pop singles, 22 Grammys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won an Academy Award, and a Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award among countless other accolades, and is the youngest honoree of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Stevie Wonder is a legend in UNCF history and American history.

An Evening of Stars(R) is slated to feature some of the hottest talent in the entertainment industry. Confirmed guests include, Fantasia, India Arie, Vivica Fox, Toni Braxton, Robert Townsend, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Lou Rawls, and many more!

"Stevie Wonder has been at the forefront of UNCF's efforts to raise money for deserving students through An Evening of Stars(R), and we are proud that he is this year's honoree," said Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF's president and CEO. "Stevie has contributed a great deal to the music industry, so this tribute is much deserved and highly anticipated," he continued.

The first Lou Rawls Parade of Stars aired in 1979, and since has become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history; raising over $200 million to supplement the cost of higher education for its scholarship recipients and member institutions. The event has featured a who's who of the most recognizable talent, including Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dick Clark, Reba McIntyre, Richard Pryor, Beyonce Knowles, Jill Scott, Luther Vandross, Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LaBelle, Ed McMahon, Michael Bolton, Hall and Oates, Ziggy Marley and scores of others.

Today, the show, now called An Evening of Stars(R), is broadcast nationally and supported by major corporations such as this year's confirmed national sponsors, American Airlines, McDonald's, Target and Toyota.

Returning to direct the star studded event is three-time Emmy Award winning director Louis J. Horvitz, whose credits include numerous years directing The Academy Awards, The Prime Time Emmy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors and The People's Choice Awards as well as The 2003 MTV Movie Awards and The American Film Institute Life Achievement Tribute To Robert DeNiro.

As the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund's mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25% of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers nearly 450 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.

Source: United Negro College Fund

CONTACT: Ayanna Canty of the United Negro College Fund, +1-703-205-3510

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