UNCF 32nd Annual Mayor's Masked Ball Atlanta Exceeds Goal of $1 Million

More than 1,500 guests recently attended UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Atlanta’s 32nd Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball on December 19, 2015 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Hosted by The Honorable Kasim Reed, Mayor, City of Atlanta, UNCF’s President and CEO, Dr. Michael L. Lomax and Executive Vice President Maurice E. Jenkins, the gala raised a record $1.1 million, exceeding its annual event fundraising goal.An array of special guests including, business, civic and education leaders attended the event. Co-Chairs Shan Cooper, VP Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, D. Jack Sawyer, SVP Wilmington Trust, and 13 past and present UNCF College Presidents were also among influential attendees who came together for this black tie event. Support from Marquis Sponsors- Coca Cola, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and UPS along with many other committed donors, will help deserving students receive the necessary resources to get them to and through college.Celebrities in attendance were: Comedian Chris Tucker, Actress Kim Fields, Recording Artist Demetria McKinney, Race actor Stephan James, R&B singer Kelly Price, R&B singer Tamia, American Crime Story actress Cocoa Brown, Comedian George Wallace, Comedian Myra J, Comedian and Actor/Comedian Don “DC” Curry, Filmmaker Roger M. Bobb, Reality star Dwight Eubanks, Reality star Maja Sly, NBA Atlanta Falcons part owner Grant Hill and wife singer Tamia, NBA Hall of Famer, former Atlanta Hawks player Dikembe Mutombo, TV and film actress Jasmine Burke, HGTV host Egypt Sherrod, Married to Medicine Dr. Heavenly and Dr. Damon Kimes and Olympian track star and Morehouse alum, Edwin Moses.“I strongly believe HBCUs are vital in preparing the next generation of African-American business owners, attorneys, doctors, artists and civic leaders, and I am honored that through our annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, we are able to help fund the education of thousands of students matriculating at the Atlanta University Center,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “This year’s gala was truly a night to remember, and I thank the UNCF for their unwavering commitment to our nation’s future leaders.”
Honored with UNCF 2015 M.A.S.K.E.D (Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams) Award were Walter Dukes, Retired Sr. Vice President, Georgia Power and retiring UNCF Member Presidents, Dr. Carlton E. Brown, President Emeritus, Clark Atlanta University and, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita, Spelman College.
In just the past eight years, UNCF’s Mayor’s Masked Ball Atlanta has raised almost $10 million to support the 60,000 students who attend UNCF’s 37 member schools including the four Atlanta University member institutions – Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College.“The multi-year partnership and support from Mayor Reed—himself a proud HBCU alumnus--and the contributions of time and treasure from sponsors, volunteers, and attendees made this 32nd annual Mayor’s Masked Ball the smashing success that it was, and will translate into more than $1 million in support for UNCF’s member institutions and scholarships for their students,” Dr. Lomax said. “And that’s just part of what UNCF invests in Atlanta and Georgia. UNCF awards 774 scholarships worth over $10 million to Georgia students each year, and almost 400 scholarships, worth $3.5 million, to Atlanta students. That support is a generous helping hand for deserving young men and women and a wise investment in better futures for our students, and, through their success, for all of us.”
The event included a VIP reception, Procession of Investors and Dividends (student scholarship recipients), 3 course dinner and entertainment by R&B Singer-Songwriter Johnny Gill.
For more information on how you can support the work of UNCF, please contact the Atlanta UNCF office at 404.302.8623.
About UNCFUNCF - 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 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 over 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at www.uncf.org. ###

Photos by Quinn Hood and Caselove Productions