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

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

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced that Toyota Motor Sales, has agreed to sponsor UNCF's 27th annual televised fund-raiser, An Evening of Stars(R). This year, An Evening of Stars(R) will feature a star-studded tribute to legendary entertainer, Stevie Wonder for his lifetime achievements. The highly anticipated tribute will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles September 9th and 10th, 2005. The show will air nationally, in over 65 markets January 6th, 7th and 8th, 2006.

"We are grateful to Toyota for its support," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. "Thanks to Toyota, our 39 member institutions will be able to offer over 60,000 young men and women a 21st century education, and UNCF will be able to offer deserving students the scholarship support they need."

Toyota's support for An Evening of Stars(R) marks the second year the carmaker has sponsored this event, and caps an extensive history of Toyota support for UNCF and minority education. Toyota is also the sponsor of the UNCF Toyota Scholars Program. With its sponsorship of An Evening of Stars(R), Toyota's support for UNCF totals more than $3 million.

An Evening of Stars(R) will honor Stevie Wonder, a longtime UNCF supporter, for his contributions to the music industry and his role as a global humanitarian and philanthropist. The tribute will be the centerpiece of two nights of entertainment. An Evening of Stars(R) is slated to feature some of the entertainment industry's hottest talent. Confirmed guests include: Maroon 5, Toni Braxton, Idris Elba, Angela Bassett, India.Arie, KEM, Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Vivica A Fox, Robert Townsend, Ruby Dee, John Salley, Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry, Merri Dee and the first two recipients of the UNCF Award of Excellence, Lou Rawls and Quincy Jones.

UNCF's An Evening of Stars(R) 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(R) 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 close the educational attainment gap by providing financial support to its 39 member institutions and increasing 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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