BET  Takes the Ultimate Study Break on the Road with the 2007 Black College Tour

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - The 2007 BET Black College Tour, the largest and only tour of its kind, returns to 14 historically black college and university campuses across the country for the sixth consecutive year. Together with its key marketing partners, BET will bring a day of entertainment, games, contests, product samples and consumer information exclusively for college students, hosted by popular BET on-air personalities Terrence, Rocsi, Lamorne, Alesha Renee, and Q-45, and featuring dynamic live performances from various Universal Records artists, including Swizz Beatz, Mya, David Banner, Q-Tip, Kia Shine and more. The 2007 BET Black College Tour kicks off September 7 at Bethune-Cookman University.

"The BET Black College Tour is a series of informative events that truly highlights the strong connection BET has with its audience," said Michelle Garner, vice president of BET Consumer Engagement. "The initiative is a unique opportunity for BET and its key marketing partners to support HBCUs around the country and reach out to college students in a highly organic manner."

This year's College Tour includes various contests, basketball competitions, games, music performances, product sampling and career and health information. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a singing contest sponsored by the upcoming Sony Pictures' Screen Gems release, "This Christmas," showcase their talent in the Playstation Video Skillz Challenge and obtain important health information at the Gardasil tent. As in previous years, the BET Black College Tour has a hefty lineup of sponsor-related events, which also include the McDonald's poetry contest, Pepsi Flow freestyle rap battle, U.S. Air Force 2-on-2 basketball competition, Verizon Wireless 3-point basketball shootout and free concerts by popular and up-and-coming Universal Records artists.

"We are proud to partner with BET as the music label sponsor for the 4th consecutive year," said Shanti Das, executive vice president of marketing for Universal. "This tour has been and continues to be an opportunity for established artists such as Swizz Beatz, David Banner, Marques Houston and Chamillionaire to get up-close-and-personal with college students as well as a launching pad for up-and-coming artists like Suai, J. R. Get Money, and Bottom of The Map."

"This is an outstanding opportunity to connect with our customers," said Lou Rossi, director -- advertising and sponsorships for Verizon Wireless. "The BET Tour provides an amazing environment for us to meet customers who depend on our service to stay in touch with their family and friends, as well as hear and see the latest music, games and entertainment options available through V CAST. Taking the Verizon Wireless network back to school with you is like having an inside track to the latest technology and the coolest mobile entertainment."

The following are dates and schools scheduled for the 2007 BET Black College Tour. For tour updates and exclusive behind the scenes footage of what went down on each campus, visit our website, www.bet.com/blackcollegetour

2007 BET Black College Tour Schedule