United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Convenes in New Orleans, February 3-7, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2010

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Convenes in New Orleans, February 3-7, 2010
Discussions help expand advocacy on the support of minority education

WHAT: UNCF’s 64^th National Alumni Council/52^nd National Pre-Alumni Council Leadership Conference

WHERE: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

WHEN: Wednesday, February 3-Sunday, February 7, 2010

DETAILS:
The United Negro College Fund will host its 64^th National Alumni Council (NAC)/52^nd National Pre-Alumni Council (NPAC) Leadership Conference, February 3-7 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. The theme for this year’s conference is “Challenge-Choice-Change.” Hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, staff, presidents and supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will participate in workshops, panels, roundtable discussions and college fairs to help expand their abilities to support minority education through fundraising, recruitment and advocacy.

Dr. Randal Pinkett, winner of NBC’s The Apprentice, will host a Saturday morning session featuring the UNCF’s HBCU Empower Me Tour on Saturday. Featured panelists include: music artist and entrepreneur Ledisi; actress and host of TV One’s Access, Tatyana Ali; Comedienne and International Grand Baselius of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sheryl Underwood; President of Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network, Dr. Ben Chavis; attorney and radio personality, Warren Ballentine; President of the New Jersey Advocates for Education Foundation Tamara Robinson; celebrity make-up artist, Nicole Caldwell and President of Usher’s New Look Foundation, Shawn Wilson.

Additional speakers, panelists and participants in the conference include Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF; Dr. Norman Francis, president of UNCF member institution Xavier University of Louisiana; Dr. Marvalene Hughes, president of UNCF member institution Dillard University in New Orleans; Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary; Dr. Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, National President of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Kimaka Willis, Principal and Founder of Refining Redefining. Four-time Grammy nominee Ledisi will host a listening party on Saturday night.

The United Negro College Fund is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 39 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.

MAJOR EVENTS / NEWSWORTHY SPEAKERS:
· Thurs., Feb. 4; Leadership Breakfast featuring speaker, Dr. Sebetha Jenkins Immediate Past President, Jarvis Christian College, 8 -10 a.m.
· Sat, Feb. 6; UNCF's HBCU Empower Me Tour Presentation, 10-Noon
· Sat, Feb. 6; Miss UNCF Coronation Ball, 6:30 p.m.

TO OBTAIN PRESS CREDENTIALS:
Press Room: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel; Fifth floor, Registration Desk

Hours:
Wed., Feb. 3: 4-6 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 4-Fri., Feb. 5: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
UNCF: Joye Griffin, 703-205-3480, Joye.Griffin@uncf.org or Dr. Marion L. Bell, 702-277-1326, marionlbell@aol.com
New Orleans CVB: Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com; Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Mary Beth Romig, 504-606-8430, mbromig@neworleanscvb.com