Sheryl Underwood & Core DJ’s Worldwide Announce January 31 Stillman College Event & CSUN Winners

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Jan. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- With the inaugural fundraising event under her wings, Entertainer Sheryl Underwood, philanthropist and co-host of THE TALK on CBS television, announces the next location of the National NPHC Stroll Contest & Step Show and Ultimate Battle of the DJs - Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, January 31, 2014.

The event, hosted by MTV's "Jerks With Cameras" star Justin Hires (a graduate of Clark Atlanta University) and comedian Kyle Erby (a graduate of Southern University), who is featured on Sheryl Underwood Radio, was held at CSU Northridge. The venue buzzed with Greek pride Saturday evening as members of the NPHC and the local community came to support the participating teams who stepped, strolled and competed in the DJ battle. CSUN representatives were in awe of the enthusiasm and conduct of the NPHC organizations. Attendees commented that the Pack Rat Foundation Team, Vic Frost - Vice President of Operations & Radio Affiliations for Pack Rat Productions and Sheryl Underwood Radio & Monica Newman McCluney - President and CEO, Stratica Group, ran a smooth operation. The near sell-out inaugural event brought out fierce competition with the following winners rising to the top:


NPHC Step Competition – Sorority
– First Place - Zeta Phi Beta Alpha Psi Zeta Chapter;

NPHC Stroll Competition – Sorority
– First Place - Zeta Phi Beta Alpha Psi Zeta Chapter;

NPHC Step Competition – Fraternity
– First Place - Phi Beta Sigma Lambda Iota Chapter/
– Alpha Phi Alpha Pi Kappa Chapter (there was a tie for first place);

NPHC Stroll Competition – Fraternity
– First Place - Phi Beta Sigma Los Angeles and the winner in the
– Ultimate Battle of the DJs LA– First Place - DJ Nosaj (Jason, from Carson, CA, is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a graduate of FAMU).

All winners received $1000 in prize money and will be invited to participate in the finale to be held in December. Over $10,000 in prize money was distributed to winners at the Northridge event.

Underwood is using her national and international visibility, through her Pack Rat Foundation for Education, to support higher education by raising money for all 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through a series of fundraising events targeted to fraternities, sororities, DJs and all who support the dream of a college education and those who desire a college education.

According to Underwood, “The CSU Northridge event was a huge success. We anticipate the same excitement for the Stillman College event on Friday (January 31).” The National NPHC Stroll Contest and Step Show and Ultimate Battle of the DJs on January 31 at Stillman College begins at 7pm in the Birthright Alumni Hall on the campus.  DJ, Team registration and tickets sales are now open at www.SherylUnderwood.com. Participants can register to compete in any of the cities where events are scheduled. There is no fee to register to participate.

Step Competition Participants:

Alpha Phi Alpha
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Beta Sigma
Zeta Phi Beta

Stroll Competition Participants:

Alpha Phi Alpha
Phi Beta Sigma
Delta Sigma Theta
Sigma Gamma Rho
Zeta Phi Beta

DJ Battle Participants:

DJ MOE
DJ Nosaj (Kappa Alpha Psi)
DJ Dash (Phi Beta Sigma)

Underwood has connected with The Core DJ’s Worldwide to create the Ultimate Battle of the DJs competition to highlight talented DJs across the country. Winners receive prize money and membership in The Core DJs Worldwide. As a strong member of the Greek community Underwood created the National NPHC Stroll Contest and Step Show as a way for fraternities and sororities to 1) showcase their organizations and founding principles and 2) win prize money for their organization.

As co-host of the Emmy-nominated show THE TALK, recently renewed for a 5th year, Underwood is seen daily by over 3 million viewers; she is heard and seen by millions more via Sheryl Underwood Radio and her live performances. Underwood says “raising money for HBCUs is the right thing to do. These schools have a legacy of providing access to education to individuals who may not have had the opportunity to attend college, many for financial reasons.”

According Underwood, who is 23rd International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the only entertainer to hold this national post, says “The National NPHC Stroll Contest and Step Show is a chance for NPHC member organizations to present a 5-7 minute commercial for their fraternity or sorority.” Celebrity guest Kiki Shepard, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., says “Everyone had an absolute ball. I loved it.”

For information, to register as a contestant; buy individual or group tickets or to donate go to http://www.SherylUnderwood.com.

The NPHC Stroll Contest and Step Show and the Ultimate Battle of the DJs event is open to the public.  A large part of the judging criteria includes crowd participation so contestants are encouraged to bring their cheering section. Tickets are $20.14 in advance and can be purchased online at SherylUnderwood.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.  Tickets purchased at the door will be $25.00 for the general public or an amount equal to the founding year of attending Greek fraternities and sororities in paraphernalia. Group discounts for tickets are available in advance only.

Underwood adds, “If you can’t attend, then make a donation. Our HBCUs need our support.” She adds, “We know that education can change your life. So we need to make sure that individuals, no matter their race, gender, orientation or ethnic background, can get a quality education at an HBCU. Together we can make sure they are available for generations.”

Current Schedule of Events

NPHC Stroll Contest and Step Show and Ultimate Battle of the DJs

Northridge (completed)
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, January 25, 2014

Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL
Birthright Alumni Hall
Friday, January 31, 2014

Paul Quinn College
Dallas, TX
Saturday, February 22, 2014

Morris Brown College
Atlanta, GA
Saturday, April 5, 2014

HBCUs interested in scheduling a Pack Rat Foundation for Education fundraising event hosted by Sheryl Underwood, and companies interested in Sponsorship Opportunities should contact Monica Newman McCluney, President and CEO, Stratica Group at 202-669-7208.

See PHOTO GALLERY of the CSU NORTHRIDGE EVENT at http://WWW.SHERYLUNDERWOOD.COM.

Media Partner:

THANK YOU FOX HBCU Media Alliance for supporting the Inaugural NPHC Stroll and Step Competition and Ultimate Battle of the DJs by tweeting and posting on FB about the event.

Membership in the Alliance is FREE and open to current HBCU students, alumni, faculty and staff members with a dedicated interest in the entertainment and media industries.