ANITA, NE-YO, STEVIE TO HONOR SMOKEY ROBINSON: UNCF’S ‘Evening of Stars’ salutes Motown legend this month for Jan. broadcast.
*Luminaries from entertainment, politics, and sports are ready to roll out the red carpet for one of America’s greatest living performers and composers as the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) hosts An Evening of Stars (AEOS) Tribute to Smokey Robinson.
Scheduled to appear at Saturday’s taping are Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Macy Gray, Heather Headley, Chris Isaak, John Legend, Kenny Lattimore, Chante Moore, Ne-Yo, Joss Stone, Nancy Wilson and Stevie Wonder.
Presenters will include Tichina Arnold and Tyler James Williams from “Everybody Hates Chris,†Merri Dee of Chicago Superstation WGN, actor-comedian Jimmy Fallon, Hill Harper from “CSI-NY,†Taraji P. Henson from “Hustle and Flow,†LisaRaye McCoy-Misick from “All of Us,†Shemar Moore from “Criminal Minds,†Kimberly Elise from “Close to Home,†Persia White and Golden Brooks from “Girlfriends,†syndicated radio host and HBCU fundraiser Tom Joyner, “Access Hollywood†co-host Shaun Robinson†and NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
      Making special taped appearances will be Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Martha Reeves. Presenting the Award of Excellence to Smokey Robinson will be Motown Records founder and music industry icon, Berry Gordy.
      “Smokey Robinson and all the other stars who will sparkle on this year’s AEOS are doing much more than showcasing some of the best creative talent our culture has to offer,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNCF. “They are making sure that the millions of Americans who tune in to AEOS understand that there is nothing more important than helping UNCF make sure that deserving young men and women get the college education they need to launch their careers and support their families and careers.”
      Presented by Target, this year’s AEOS will be taped Sept. 22nd at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and will air nationwide in late January. Tickets are available through the Ticketmaster Web site and at all Ticketmaster locations in the Pasadena/Los Angeles metropolitan area.
cool!