UNCF Celebrates 75 Years of Lighting the Way to Better Futures
New York Times best-selling author and sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson serves as keynote speaker at the annual UNCF Mayor's Luncheon benefitting deserving students and historically black colleges and universities
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- During the past 75 years, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) has helped nearly half a million students earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective minority education organization in the United States, UNCF also actively supports 37 private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocates for minority higher education. As it marks such a major milestone, UNCF is planning a year-long celebration via its fundraising events across the country including the Orlando UNCF Mayor's Luncheon set for 12 p.m., Friday, March 8 at the Hilton Orlando. Nearly 400 guests are expected to attend, including keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson, sociology professor, Georgetown University; Dick Batchelor, UNCF "Champion of Education" and former member of the Florida House of Representatives; and Vanessa Echols, mistress of ceremonies, and anchor, WFTV.
"We invite all members of the Orlando community to join us as we raise money to send deserving young people to college," said Anita Henri, regional development director, UNCF. "Everyone who believes that 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste'® should attend as we inspire and empower our young people to secure better futures by obtaining a college degree." With help from the Orlando community, more than $243,000 was awarded last year to area students.
With the release of UNCF's landmark study, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the report shows that Florida's HBCUs annually contribute $833 million and more than 7,817 jobs to the state.
"HBCUs, like the ones that are part of UNCF, 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," Henri added.
The Orlando Mayor's luncheon is chaired by local realtor Sandra Jeter and is sponsored by Wells Fargo, AT&T, Publix, SunTrust and many others.
For more information or to purchase a ticket, please visit UNCF.org/OrlandoLuncheon or call Jazmine Barnes at 407.896.6940. Unable to attend, but want to make a difference in student's life? Text UNCF35 to 41444 and click the link in the reply message to fulfill your pledge. Follow this event @UNCF @UNCFNCFL #UNCF #UNCFNCFL. Visit UNCF.org/Orlando to stay connected to UNCF throughout the year.
About UNCF
UNCF (the 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, supports and 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 17 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF 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 over 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 Florida Region on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNCFNCFL.
SOURCE United Negro College Fund
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