A special tribute concert is being planned to honor Lionel Ritchie. The R&B singer will receive the United Negro College Fund's Award of Excellence in the UNCF's 31st annual An Evening of Stars ceremony.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, September 12.
Ritchie will be honored for his long and successful career as a singer, songwriter, and producer, along with his history of supporting the education of African-Americans. Event publicist Toni Thompson told the Pasadena Weekly, "The Award of Excellence is given to one person each year who has supported the UNCF cause."
Thompson added, "Lionel Richie is actually a graduate of the Tuskegee Institute, a UNCF university."
Other stars slated to perform in honor of Ritchie include Natalie Cole, Akon, Jesse McCartney, Katharine McPhee, Brian McKnight, Boney James, and Chrisette Michele.
Past honorees include Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.
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