The United Negro College Fund has recruited a crop of celebrities to drive home the message that getting into college is one thing, but getting through it is another.

The 5th annual UNCF Empower Me Tour kicks off Saturday at George Washington University in the nation’s capital. It is co-hosted by Grammy-nominated singer Ledisi, and actors Boris Kodjoe, Kim Coles and Lamman Rucker, among others.

The tour comes to Hampton next month with a stop at Hampton University on Nov. 15.

The celebrities will participate in sessions on various topics such as seeking scholarships, financial aid, internships, networking and branding. There also will be professional resume critiques, healthy cooking demonstrations, interactive games, prizes and music by celebrity DJs.

“We’re there to give, we’re there to impart something to them, but the truth is I always leave inspired by them and by their view of the world,” said Coles, who has participated in past UNCF tours.

In addition to Hampton and Washington, the 10-city tour will travel through next spring to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Minneapolis and Charlotte, N.C. Stars who will join the tour in other cities include actress Tatyana Ali, singer Kenny Lattimore, reality star Toya Wright, model-actress Kenya Moore, former Essence Magazine editor Susan L. Taylor and radio host Warren Ballentine. read more…