NEW ORLEANS, LA – Comedian, actress and television host Sheryl Underwood has been named an ambassador of the upcoming 46th Annual Bayou Classic which is set to take place in November. Best known as the co-host of the Emmy-award-winning, CBS-television-show "The Talk," Underwood is committed to using her visibility and influence in positive ways. She is Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Pack Rat Foundation for Education (PRFFE, 501c3) and is currently raising money to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the students committed to pursuing a higher education.

The Bayou Classic, ranked as the #1 HBCU Classic in the nation, is the iconic collegiate gridiron matchup between Southern University and Grambling State University, which will take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Tickets are now on sale for the 46th Annual Bayou Classic and the Greek Show & Battle of the Bands.

"It is an honor and privilege to be an Ambassador for the 46th Annual Bayou Classic – the granddaddy of all football classics," said Sheryl Underwood, Ambassador for the 46th Annual Bayou Classic. "From our earliest beginnings we knew that higher education was the key to jobs and freedom. Our families wanted more for their children which led many to HBCUs."

Underwood is co-host of "The Talk," watched by an average of 3+ million viewers per day, and co-hosted the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Daytime Emmy Awards, is a much sought-after entertainer and public speaker who is described as one of the world's brightest contemporary humorists.

Underwood is owner and Chief Executive Officer of Pack Rat Productions, Inc. and is the 23rd International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – the only full-time entertainer to ever hold the sorority's highest post.

Underwood will help promote the Bayou Classic nationally through channels including, all 388 affiliates of Sheryl Underwood Radio and all national media appearances. As the ambassador, Underwood will be a judge in the annual Bayou Classic Greek Show and all eyes will be on her as she is honored and recognized during the Bayou Classic game.

Underwood, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, joined the television show "The Talk" on CBS television for the start of season two. With Underwood at the table, "The Talk," received its first Daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show and another Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment and multiple Emmy nominations. In 2017, "The Talk" received a record eight Daytime Emmy Nominations, tying with TV host Ellen DeGeneres, with Underwood and her co-hosts of "The Talk" winning Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts. Underwood, who has received numerous awards and accolades, was named one of the 10 most influential talk show hosts on Twitter in 2012 and currently has more than one million social media followers. As part of "The Talk" hosting team, Underwood received a 2016 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team," a 2016 NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Talk Series" and a 2017 nomination in the same category and is a KJLH (Los Angeles) Proven Achiever 2018 honoree.

"For 46 years friendships, marriages and bragging rights could be witnessed at the Bayou Classic! The Battle of the Bands...The Greek Show...The food, the fun and the game!!!...The Bayou Classic welcomed everyone," added Underwood. "The Bayou Classic tradition lives on and with this long-term relationship we can coalesce our resources to continue to open doors for anyone who wants to realize their dreams at an HBCU!"

The 46th Annual Bayou Classic is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, 2019. The game is prefaced by other great events to celebrate HBCUs role in our education system – the BizTech Challenge (Friday), the Greek Show & Battle of the Bands (Friday), Doc Griggs 2x Around the Dome (Saturday), the Bayou Classic Parade (Saturday) and the Bayou Classic Fan Festival (Saturday).

"Sheryl is a savvy businesswoman, philanthropist and a multi-faceted, multi-media entrepreneur who is recognized as one of the most articulate, well-informed women of our time. As a fan, I am tremendously excited to have Sheryl to welcome the world to the Bayou Classic," said Dottie Belletto, President and CEO of NOCCI. "We have a unique opportunity to continue to demonstrate Bayou Classic as the #1 HBCU classic in the country through the channels that Sheryl provides. Her excitement is contagious and only matched by her love and admiration for HBCUs and the education it provides our young professionals."

You can "Experience the Power" of Bayou Classic now – tickets are now on sale for the 46th Annual Bayou Classic. Bayou Classic fans may also purchase tickets for the ever-popular Battle of the Bands & Greek Show to be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Tickets, which are available on every seating level of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, can be purchased at:

The My Bayou Classic website (www.MyBayouClassic.com)

Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com)

New Orleans Arena Box Office (1501 Girod Street, New Orleans)

The Grambling State University Ticket Office

The Southern University Ticket Office (F.G. Clark Activity Center, 801 Harding Blvd., Baton Rouge)

Ticket prices for the 2019 Bayou Classic Football Game range from $16-50. Tickets for the Greek Show & Battle of the Bands starts at $20 with options for VIP experiences.