The Californer - UNCF's National College Empower Tour Kicks Off in New York; Awarding Thousands in Scholarship Dollars to Local Students

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Hundreds of students expected to attend the UNCF Empower Me Tour

NEW YORK - Californer -- The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour (EMT) kicks off this academic year on Saturday, Sept. 21at Hunter College. EMTis a free, traveling college-and-career-readiness roadshow that provides a platform for high school students to earn on-site scholarships and admission to the nation's top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Thousands of dollars will be awarded, on the spot, to local New York high school graduating seniors who attend.

UNCF is the largest scholarship provider to students of color in the United States, awarding more than $100 million annually in scholarships to more than 7,200 students across the country.

For example, with the help of UNCF, local Queens native Hunter Haymore is attending renowned Spelman College in Atlanta. Haymore, now a sophomore, reflected on her first year at Spelman and the opportunity afforded to her by UNCF. "I was born with sickle cell anemia, an incurable disease. I underwent a bone marrow study when I was in middle school," said Haymore. "I needed to think of the world beyond my health restrictions and outside of Queens. Receiving the UNCF/Koch Scholarsscholarship helped me to expand my vision and focus on entrepreneurship," added the international studies major.

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Through partnerships with the City of New York and national sponsors Wells Fargo, Target, P&G and FedEx, UNCF's Empower Me Tour is able to offer the full college fair experience with access to recruiters from HBCUs, college prep workshops, dynamic presenters and award-winning educational experts. Students will have an opportunity to apply for college admission, financial aid and scholarships, including the EMT Merit Scholarship, which are awarded on the spot.

"EMT is a wonderful program that Wells ‪Fargo is tremendously proud to sponsor. For more than 10 years, Wells Fargo team members across the country have supported thousands of deserving students. We look forward to helping more students pursue their higher education goals this year," said Sharon Murphy, executive vice president and head of end-user and collaboration services technology at Wells ‪Fargo and a UNCF national board member.

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The Sept. 21 EMT tour stop is slated for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hunter College - CUNY, Assembly Hall, North Building, 695 Park Ave., New York City.

For more information, visit EmpowerMeTour.org. You can also follow EMT on social media @UNCFand #EmpowerMeTour.