UNCF An Evening of Stars® returned to the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on April 12, 2015, for the second consecutive year for the 36th installment of the hallmark show that raises dollars and awareness for minority education. ABC’s “black-ish” actor Anthony Anderson returned as host for the third year in a row and he announced the network’s parent company, Disney, donated $1 million to UNCF.
There were performances by Big Sean, Toni Braxton, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, K. Michelle, Yolanda Adams, Mickey Guyton, Estelle, Jussie Smollett and The Time, featuring Morris Day, closed the show, which airs on Sunday, April 26 at 10 pm on BET.
The Good:
Singers Estelle and Jussie Smollett blew the audiences away with the special duet version of her single “Conqueror,” as seen on FOX’s phenomenal series “Empire.”
Buick Achievers Scholarship recipient, Daria Jordan, graduates from Spelman College this year, earning her bachelor’s in computer science.
The Great:
Country singer Mickey Guyton earned a new legion of fans with her outstanding performance.
Toni Braxton and her sons, Diezel and Denim, advocate for Autism Speaks. Freshman Terense Brise, who was diagnosed with autism, receives a $10K scholarship for his studies at Winthrop Think College.
The uh-oh:
“Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Claudia Jordan had a “technical” malfunction and had to do a retake, but she looked gorgeous in her Jelly-Belly purple gown.
Comedian Jonathan Slocumb introduced “Empire” actor Trai Byers as his co-star, Jussie Smollet, proving all light-skinned Black men look alike.
A seat filler sitting next to me was shocked to see Tasha Smith was bald, until this writer informed her the lady’s name is Sidra Smith and she’s Tasha’s twin.
(Photos by Robin Lori for Steed Media Service)
