In the 2-hour televised event that aired on Sunday, September 25th, BET Networks and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) joined forces to raise scholarship funds through UNCF: An Evening Under the Stars.
During the event, UNCF and BET honored students and alumni who are achieving their dreams through education. These students are described by BET as “future leaders of our country who have made a commitment to be the best they can be.”
The message of the special event was: Educating Our Future. During the broadcast, notable recording artists such as Patti LaBelle, Ledisi and Anthony Hamilton, not only performed, but reminded the viewing audience to donate, stating, “academic donations help today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders.”
BMCC alumni Curtis Browne was featured in the Stars special. After graduating from BMCC, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
On-site interview
This summer, Browne was interviewed at BMCC by a BET crew. “BMCC was my greatest time ever. I was very involved in Student Government, I was a Business Administration major, and I felt like I knew practically everyone.”
After graduating from Morehouse, Browne—who is originally from Trinidad—left Atlanta and returned home to New York, accepting a College Advisor job at Harlem’s Children’s Zone.
“I try to get students into college, stay in college and most importantly, graduate from college,” explains Browne, who admits he “talks up BMCC” to his students. “I do not work at a school,” he continues, clarifying. “I work at the College Success Office (CSO), a division of the Harlem Children’s Zone.”
Additionally, Browne assists BMCC Math Professor Frederick A. Reese. While Reese teaches high school students—as part of a special Children’s Zone bridge program—Curtis walks around the room, asking the students if they need any assistance. BET captured Browne in action, helping students with math.
Finding out he won
Browne had “just started” his job when Carol Watson, Director for the UNCF K-9 Social Entrepreneur Fellowship, told him he was selected for a UNCEF recognition award and that BET wanted to videotape him for Stars, “in order to capture fully my story.”
“I was one chosen as a UNCF K-9 Social Entrepreneur Fellow,” explains Browne, who applied for the Fellowship while he was at Morehouse. “Only 18 students across the U.S. were selected.”
BET also captured Browne seeking guidance from his BMCC mentor—Professor James Blake of the Counseling & Advisement Center.
“We’re still in contact even though I’m no longer attending BMCC,” says Browne.
For more information about BET’s An Evening Under the Stars, click here.