Jann W. Honoré Lauri M.

Sanders
UNCF Regional Development Director 3 Creeks Communications, Inc.
P: (312) 845 – 2210 P: (312) 845 – 2210
F: (312) 263 – 2750
E: jann.honore@uncf.org

Press Release

UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour Comes to Chicago

Actress Tatyana Ali hosts a day of empowerment for Chicago’s middle, high school and college
students with workshops, exhibitions and celebrity panel discussions

CHICAGO (March 7, 2011) – The UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour, presented by the United
Negro College Fund and sponsored by Wells Fargo and the U.S. Army, will make a stop in
Chicago on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of
Chicago, located at 1900 W. Van Buren Street. The daylong event, specifically designed for
students who are considering attending college or currently enrolled in a college or university,
will focus on education, self-esteem, financial literacy, leadership, and health and well-being.

The tour includes empowerment workshops, seminars, entertainment and exhibits to motivate
young people toward academic excellence and personal responsibility; and features Tatyana Ali,
star of TV One’s sitcom, “Love That Girl,” and many other radio and television celebrities.

“The UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour underscores the importance of college and career
readiness, as well as service to the community and the nation, which is a long tradition and
critical component of an HBCU education,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and
CEO. “UNCF is committed to helping ensure that every child gets a good education from pre-
school through college, empowering them to become the next generation of good citizens and
effective leaders.”

Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, will host the day’s event in what
Chancellor Cheryl L. Hyman calls a “natural partnership.”

“Pursuing higher education is increasingly imperative in this day and age to ensure one’s
personal, professional and economic security throughout life,” said City Colleges of Chicago
Chancellor Cheryl Hyman. “Our partnership with UNCF is consistent with our mission to
provide students every tool available to set upon their path toward academic success.”

Ali will be joined by Monique L. Jackson and Kita Williams celebrity publicists from VH1
reality television series “The T.O. Show;” Warren Ballentine, author, attorney and radio talk
show host of “The Warren Ballentine Show” on Radio One; and Chef DAS, renowned chef and
(more)
season six finalist on the Food Network’s reality television series “The Next Food Network
Star.”

Workshop sessions presented by the tour’s national sponsors Wells Fargo and the U.S. Army,
will include “Get Hands on Banking®” highlighting saving, budgeting credit and investment
strategies necessary for those headed to college and into the workforce. The Empower Me Tour
Leadership Institute, hosted by the U.S. Army will give participants tools with which to develop
their own leadership skills.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the Empower Me Tour website at

http://www.empowermetour.org to pre-register for the event. Parents, educators and community
leaders are also invited to attend. On-site registration will also be available.

ABOUT UNCF
UNCF's mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students
who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our
network of 39 member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and
through college. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and
fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. UNCF
envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for
rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.
Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the
country. Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., is President and CEO. For more information log onto: www.uncf.org.
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