UNCF's 2015 An Evening Of Stars Brings Out The Stars!

Photo by Prince Williams/ATL Pics

UNCF An Evening of Stars returned to the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on Sunday April 12, 2015 to tape the 36th installment of the hallmark show that raises dollars and awareness for minority education. Host Anthony Anderson and audience host Jonathan Slocum joined today’s hottest and most recognizable stars to support UNCF and education. The show strives to highlight the importance of education and raising funds to help provide students with the support they need to get to and through college.

During the ceremony, scholarships were awarded to students from UNCF and celebrities to help them financially to get through college and ultimately to help to support their dreams. Toni Braxton and her son Diezel took the stage to announce their joint UNCF scholarship for students with autism. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed took the stage to announce the joint scholarship between UNCF and Usher’s New Look Foundation. Big Sean presented a scholarship to a young scholar from his hometown Detroit. Ne-Yo and Ludacris also presented UNCF joint scholarships to well deserving students who shared there stories (on screen) and closed with “I’m your dividend.” Pharrell was shown on screen surprising a scholar with a $50,000 scholarship with UNCF and his From One Hand To AnOTHER foundation. UNCF presenters and host Anthony Anderson quoted one of UNCF’s mission statements throughout the evening,”A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”

There were performances by Big Sean, Toni Braxton, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, K. Michelle, Morris Day & The Time, Kem, Yolanda Adams, Mickey Guyton, Estelle, and Jussie Smollett. Before the show kicked off, UNCF’s Evening of Stars’ red carpet was also a star studded moment. Empire’s Trai Byers, Grace Gealey & Jussie Smollet hit the carpet along with Mona Scott- Young, Big Sean, Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T., Demetria McKinney, Toni Braxton, Jermaine Dupri, Yolonda Adams Tamia & Grant Hill, the evening’s honoree students, and many more.