UNCF’s eleventh Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball Guarantees A Night time Of Celebration And Philanthropy

The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is gearing up for its eleventh annual Mayor’s Masked Ball, a spotlight of the group’s year-long Eightieth-anniversary celebration. The ball is scheduled to happen on Saturday, March 2, 2024, on the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

This fundraising social occasion, hosted by UNCF, is ready to carry collectively a various group of attendees, together with company companions, educators, celebrities, dignitaries, UNCF HBCU presidents, civic leaders, alumni, and neighborhood influencers. The event is not going to solely rejoice the exceptional 80-year journey of UNCF but additionally acknowledge and honor the founders, donors, and philanthropic companions who’ve performed a pivotal function in supporting the trigger during the last 11 years.

Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF, emphasised the group’s dedication to altering the narrative of Traditionally Black Schools and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the nation. Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has been a significant power in offering important assets to coach generations of African American and minority college students.

“We rejoice the progress that’s being made to uplift our traditionally black faculties and universities and the scholars they serve,” mentioned Therese Badon, Senior Vice President of Improvement, UNCF Southern & Particular Occasions Divisions. And we specific our honest appreciation for all that our companions do to help UNCF and who consider deeply in our motto: ‘A thoughts is a horrible factor to waste however an exquisite factor to spend money on.’”

Final 12 months, with the help of the New Orleans neighborhood, UNCF awarded a formidable $1.49 million in scholarships and applications for college kids and UNCF member HBCUs, Dillard College, and Xavier College.

This 12 months’s UNCF MASKED Award honorees embody ESSENCE Ventures President and CEO and Co-Founding father of WangaWoman LLC, Caroline Wanga, who can be acknowledged for her unwavering dedication to function, fairness, and authenticity. A proud alumna of Traditionally Black Schools/Universities (HBCUs), Caroline has devoted her life to making sure academic alternatives for future generations, with a particular connection to UNCF by her scholarship from the Minnesota UNCF. Her recognition additionally speaks to the legacy manufacturers longstanding dedication to tradition, because the ESSENCE Competition of Tradition will rejoice its 30 anniversary in New Orleans this 12 months.

As well as, Stephanie and Ryan Burks, founders of RYCARS Development, a industrial roofing firm with a robust dedication to philanthropy can even be honored. The Burks haven’t solely excelled of their enterprise endeavors however have additionally made a long-lasting influence on communities throughout 4 states by lively engagement and useful resource provision.

The Mayor’s Masked Ball guarantees not solely a night of celebration but additionally a showcase of expertise and inspiration. The Legendary Funk Band, The Bar-Kays, will present leisure, and the occasion can be hosted by the gifted actress and comic Kim Coles. 

As UNCF continues to champion the reason for HBCUs and spend money on the way forward for Black faculty college students, the Mayor’s Masked Ball is a logo of unity, philanthropy, and the dedication to making sure that “a thoughts is a horrible factor to waste however an exquisite factor to spend money on.”