Corporate Giving sets new fundraising record for UNCF Ball

The 38th annual UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Mayor’s Masked Ball, a holiday fundraising event, was an unforgettable success. Health and safety were a high priority and created levels of confidence and ease for the more than 1,000 guests attending the Dec.18, 2021 record setting event at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Entertainment by soulful Anthony Hamilton capped off the evening, but the true stars of the evening were the corporations who collectively donated more than $1.95 million earmarked for scholarship and funding support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their students. During the past 77 years, thanks to the support of generous donors like those attending the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, UNCF has empowered more than half a million students to earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective minority education organization in the United States, UNCF actively supports 37 private HBCUs and advocates for minority higher education.

At this year’s gala, corporations such as presenting sponsor Georgia Power, Amazon, Norfolk Southern, Chick-Fil-A, Delta Airlines, Global Payments, The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Mercedes Benz USA, Voya Financial, UPS and celebrity guests Killer Mike and 2 Chainz, helped to make this year’s gala a record-breaking success. Frank Ski set the tone as the guest auctioneer to help rally the crowd by raising $250,000 during the Fund the Mission and live auction that consisted of one item donated-Shaquille O’Neal’s size 22 Reebok tennis shoe with a winning bid of $10,000.

The unforgettable evening was hosted by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms with a special appearance by Mayor-Elect, Andre Dickens. Actress Lynn Whitfield beautifully emceed the event, and a highlight of the program was the appearance of Morehouse Alum, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. A special memorial honors for baseball legend Henry “Hank” Aaron, who co-founded the event along with his wife and was always a consistent and steady presence throughout the gala’s 38-year history, were presented. Former UNCF Scholar and Morehouse College chemistry major, Elisha Talley inspired the crowd with his moving HBCU testimony. UNCF’s CEO, Dr. Michael Lomax and UNCF Board Chair, Milton Jones were on hand to give remarks. The co-chairs for the gala were Bentina Chisolm Terry, senior vice president, Georgia Power, and Charmaine Ward-Millner, director corporate relations, Georgia Power. Award honorees for the evening were Andrea Carter of Global Payments, and Charles Johnson of Trust Securities.

Guest attendance included U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, Georgia State Rep. Calvin Smyre, college presidents Dr. David Thomas (Morehouse College), Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice (Morehouse School of Medicine) and Dr. Kevin James (Morris Brown College). Dr. Lisa Herring, superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools, actress and radio personality Eva Marcille, singer Damon Hall of R& B group Guy and actor, Miss. Lawrence.

With the success of the Atlanta UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, thousands of students have a brighter future because of the support they receive from corporations. In the past few years, more than 800 local students attending UNCF-member colleges and universities were able to get to and through college without the interruption of financial challenges.

For more information, visit UNCF.org/Atlanta or call 404.302.8623.

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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, 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 20% 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 trademark, ‟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.