McDonald's Announces National Sponsorship for the United Negro College Fund's 27th Annual An Evening of Stars(R) Tribute to Stevie Wonder

McDonald's Announces National Sponsorship for the United Negro College Fund's 27th Annual An Evening of Stars(R) Tribute to Stevie Wonder

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced McDonald's as one of six national sponsors supporting the organization's Tribute to Stevie Wonder at UNCF's highly anticipated nationally televised fund-raiser, An Evening of Stars(R). This is the second year in a row that McDonald's will join UNCF at the star-studded event at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California on September 9th and 10th, 2005.

A donor since 1970, McDonald's has contributed more than $6 million to UNCF. In addition to sponsoring An Evening of Stars(R) McDonald's has supported UNCF scholarship programs and special events that help deserving students attain the dream of a college education. "McDonald's support for An Evening of Stars(R) is an investment in the future of our youth and our country," said Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF's President and CEO. "By investing in the education of tomorrow's leaders, McDonald's contribution means that hundreds of promising young men and women will acquire an education they otherwise couldn't afford," Lomax continued. "We are honored that they could be a part of this wonderful opportunity to pay homage to one of the world's greatest legends."

The tribute to Stevie Wonder, in recognition of his contributions to the music industry and his role as a global humanitarian and philanthropist, will be the centerpiece of two all-star evenings of entertainment. An Evening of Stars(R) is also slated to feature some of the entertainment industry's hottest talent. Confirmed guests include: Maroon 5, India.Arie, KEM, Toni Braxton, Smokey Robinson, Angela Bassett, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Vivica A Fox, Robert Townsend, Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry, Merri Dee and the first two recipients of the UNCF Award of Excellence, Lou Rawls and Quincy Jones. Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

UNCF's An Evening of Stars first aired as the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars in 1979, and has since become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history, raising over $200 million to support UNCF's member historically black colleges and universities and providing scholarships for students at more than 950 colleges around the country. An Evening of Stars has featured a Who's Who of the nation's 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.

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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