UNCF Raising Funds for HBCUs with Six Events in Six Different Cities on February 24
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) February 21, 2018 -- February 24 is a big day for UNCF as communities across the nation come together for a great cause—raising funds for students and HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities). Fundraising events in Birmingham, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are designed to raise public awareness and generate large corporate and individual donations to support deserving area students. The events garner support from a diverse group of elected officials and community influencers, including honorable hosts Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, Mayor Mike Rawlings and Mayor Joseph H. Hogsett —all who support UNCF’s mission of investing in better futures by getting students to and through college.
“Events such as these, stress the importance of HBCUs,” said Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “HBCUs not only provide a college education for 300,000 students every year, but they are a powerful economic engine: locally, through the jobs they create and the expenditures they make in the cities where they are located, and nationally, through the students they educate and prepare for an information-age workforce.”
With the release of UNCF’s new publication, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we know graduates from the nation’s historically black colleges and universities generate $14.8 billion annually in total economic impact. In Alabama alone, graduates of HBCUs and member institutions such as Tuskegee University and Talladega College helped contribute $1.5 billion in total economic impact and generate 15,062 jobs for their local economy. Graduates from the nine HBCUs in Texas, including member institutions Huston-Tillotson University and Wiley College, produced $1.3 billion in total economic impact and 11,490 jobs.
Attended by prominent individuals and supporters, these events also pay homage to members of the community who are trailblazers, continuing the fight for all students to be afforded the opportunity of a high-quality education. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin are among some of the honorees spotlighted for being beacons of hope for the nation’s future leaders.
“Our mission will be amplified through these incredible events taking place on this extraordinary night across the nation,” said Maurice Jenkins, executive vice president of development, UNCF. “With the support of our mayors and the community, these events will have a significant impact on educating the next generation of leaders through the unrestricted funds raised.”
Read more about these signature fundraisers below:
Birmingham
Join Mayor Randall L. Woodfin at the Mayor’s Masked Ball at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel beginning at 6:30 p.m. Close to 900 guests are scheduled to attend, including Senator Doug Jones, masters of ceremonies pastor John and Aventer Gray of OWN’s hit series “The Book of John Gray” and many more. Masked award recipients, include former Mayor William A. Bell, Al Denson and Marcell Dareus of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The event will feature dinner, dancing and students from member institution Miles College conducting on-site interviews of key attendees. Entertainment will be provided by Just a Few Cats, featuring Alvin Garrett and Logan the Entertainer. Visit http://www.uncf.org/birmingham for more information.
Dallas
Mayor Mike Rawlings hosts the Mayor’s Masked Ball on February 24 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas beginning at 6 p.m. More than 800 guests will attend the signature fundraising event chaired by Texas State Senator Royce West, including Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, City of Plano; Mayor Curtistene McCowan, City of DeSoto; Mayor George Fuller, City of McKinney; Mayor Robert Dye, City of Farmers Branch and many area business, civic and education leaders. The event will kick off with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and entertainment by the R&B band, Taylor Pace Orchestra. “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent, Nischelle Turner, is the celebrity mistress of ceremonies. Hunt Consolidated, Inc. is the presenting sponsor. For more information or to purchase a ticket to the ball, which are $300 each, please visit http://www.uncf.org/dallasmmb
Indianapolis
Join Mayor Joseph H. Hogsett on February 24 as he bowls at the 14th annual UNCF Indianapolis Bowling for Scholars Bowl-A-Thon sponsored by UPS at the Woodland Bowl! We are expecting over 300 guests who will have a fun afternoon of bowling for great prizes and the bragging rights of being either the top bowler, top fundraising corporation and or top fundraising team! Get a team together and strike one for students in the Indianapolis area. Come out and dance to the groove of DJ Smoove as he gets everyone dancing on the lanes. Register to create a team of 4 - 6 bowlers or join a team. The registration fee is $25 per bowler. Each team member collects pledges from friends, family or corporations (a minimum of $125 per team).
A special prize will go out to the highest scoring female and male bowler in addition to the highest scoring female and male teens for each game. Commemorative t-shirts will be given to all registered participants. Each bowler participant will receive a raffle ticket; door prizes will be awarded periodically throughout the event!
Just Announced: Celebrity DJ Monie Love!
Monie Love, English rapper, radio personality and newest addition to the Radio One family and to the Indianapolis community, will emcee the event!! She is a well-respected figure in British hip-hop and made an impact with American hip-hop audiences as a protégé of American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late-1980s/early-1990s hip-hop group Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label. Love was born in the Battersea area of Wandsworth, London. She is the daughter of a London-based, jazz musician father. To learn more about attending, visit: http://www.uncf.org/indianapolis
Los Angeles
The seventh annual Los Angeles UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball will be held at the J.W. Marriott at LA Live. Hosted by legendary actress and producer Dawnn Lewis, UNCF will bring together more than 500 local leaders, educators and advocates, including special guests, Herb Wesson, president of the Los Angeles City Council (Lincoln University), Estelle, Terrence J. (North Carolina A&T), DeWanda Wise, Aldis Hodge, Selita Ebanks, Laura Govan, Edwin Hodge, Rev. Shane Harris, National Action Network president, transgender activist Ashlee Marie Preston, Wendy Raquel Robinson (Howard University) and producer and writer, Janine Sherman Barrois (Howard University) to honor those whose commitments to making an impact inspire us all. This year, we will honor two wonderful local leaders, activist Dr. La-Doris McClaney, and civic leader Lena L. Kennedy and meet the scholars whose lives have been changed and celebrate the cause of education. Mesmerizing singer MAJOR will headline the event along with performances from the Fernando Pullum youth choir and orchestra. The event is made possible with the support of leading sponsor Delta Air Lines and many more. To purchase a ticket or for more information, please visit: http://www.uncf.org/losangeles
San Francisco
UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala presented by Dignity Health is one of San Francisco’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the year that supports underserved minority students in the Bay Area and across the country. Approximately 500 attendees representing the Bay Area who exemplify significant contributions of time, talent and resources to support UNCF’s mission and work will come together to support education equality. UNCF will recognize the extraordinary contributions of Raymond C. Marshall, Esq., partner, Sheppard Mullin, LLP as Individual of the Year and Walmart as Corporation of The Year. Cheryl Hurd, NBC news reporter will host the event, which will feature a VIP reception, live auction, dinner and dancing. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone. For more information, visit: http://www.uncf.org/sanfrancisco
Seattle
The mission of the 12th annual UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala, presented by Alaska Airlines, is to recognize the corporations, foundations and individuals in the Pacific Northwest who have made a commitment to support minority education. Held at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, the event spotlights students, donors and UNCF member schools.
The evening will feature Dr. Frederick D. Patterson Awards, UNCF Portfolio Project Scholarship Presentation and Dessert Frenzy, featuring locally owned dessert catering company, Dianne’s Delights. The evening will also include dinner, silent/live auctions, and entertainment by Josephine Howell Productions.
Honorees include Cathy Gibson, Seattle Rotary #4 2016 president (Individual of the year) and Dr. Albert Black, professor emeritus, University of Washington (Lifetime Achievement Award). Presenting sponsors include Alaska Airlines, Seattle Seahawks and Verizon. Visit http://www.uncf.org/seattle for more information.
These signature fundraisers culminate the end of a successful campaign geared toward shedding light on the lack of resources available for minorities to get to and through college. Visit: UNCF Events to view images from past celebrations.
To help provide resources for the next generation of leaders, please visit uncf.org or contact your local UNCF office.
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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
Cynetra McMillian, UNCF, http://www.uncf.org, +1 202.810.0231, [email protected]
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