Franklin wins UNCF Award of Excellence

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Detroit's undisputed "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, has become the first woman to win the United Negro College Fund's Award of Excellence.

The "Respect" singer will be presented the award during the organization's "An Evening of Stars" at Hollywood's Kodak Theater in September, the UNCF said in a news release. The event will be taped for television broadcast in January.

Franklin follows in the footsteps of Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones, all previously honored for their support of the UNCF and other causes.

"As an artist, an entertainer, and a citizen, her career has established a standard of excellence that exemplifies the educational distinction to which our member colleges are dedicated and to which they hold their students," UNCF President Michael L. Lomax said in making the announcement.

The 17-time Grammy Award winner has long been known for her activism in a variety of causes including drunk driving prevention and sickle cell anemia research.