Frankie Beverly (Photo Provided).
The United Negro College Fund is celebrating its 81st anniversary with a powerful mix of music, memories, and mission.
On Friday, April 25, UNCF and Omni-Channel Radio will host the Second Annual UNCF/Omni-Channel Radio Radiothon—a 12-hour live stream fundraiser aimed at supporting college scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This year’s event comes with a special tribute to the late soul legend Frankie Beverly, honoring his enduring musical legacy while raising funds for future generations.
Running from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Radiothon will showcase a who’s who of musical legends, community voices, and celebrity guests, all rallying behind one call to action: help students get to and through college. This year’s theme—“25 – $25 – 25”—calls for 1,000 listeners to each donate $25 on April 25, with the goal of raising $25,000 in a single day.
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,” says the UNCF, echoing the organization’s iconic tagline.
Confirmed participants include:
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Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF
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Lisa Rollins, Regional Development Director, UNCF
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Musical icons such as Melba Moore, Howard Hewett, The Spinners, Keith Washington, Billy Brown, and Copeland Davis
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Tribute to Frankie Beverly featuring Roame Lowery (original Maze member) and Jubu Smith, Beverly’s lead guitarist
Invited but not yet confirmed: Senator Cory Booker, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, comedian Luenell, and entertainers like Lenny Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jalen Hurts.
Listeners can tune in on the Omni-Channel Radio App or at www.OmniChannelRadio.com, where they can also donate. When giving, supporters should click the UNCF tab and include “OMNI” in the “Honoring” line. All donations go directly to UNCF.
The event draws inspiration from the historic Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon, reimagined for a digital age. Like its predecessor, this modern version promises a vibrant mix of culture, conversation, and purpose.
Here’s why this matters:
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From 2023 to 2024, 310 Illinois students received UNCF scholarships
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UNCF awards $100 million annually in scholarships to students across 1,100+ institutions, including its network of 37 HBCUs
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HBCUs are responsible for educating:
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70% of Black doctors
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50% of Black lawyers
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80% of Black judges
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HBCUs have nurtured leaders from Kamala Harris and Martin Luther King Jr., to Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, and Stephen A. Smith
The Radiothon celebrates that legacy—and the generations yet to come.
For more information and ways to give, visit www.OmniChannelRadio.com.