Covid Protocol Will Be Followed at the UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball

UNCF is gearing up for a festive evening of excitement and—most importantly—an evening that will be safely orchestrated for the guests who will attend UNCF’s Mayor’s Masked Ball at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Organizers of the event highly recommend that all guests attending be vaccinated, and regardless of vaccination status guests will be required to provide proof of a negative standard PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the Ball, and they can upload results. If a guest tests positive, entry will not be permitted to the event. No Exceptions! Tickets to the popular HBCU fund-raiser have sold out, however, those wishing to make donations to HBCU can donate at: www. UNCF.org/Atlantammb

Additional precautionary measures will include electronic ticketing with guest information listed, company affiliation, table placement, and copy of vaccination card. Wristbands, once verified in the system will be distributed to guests for access to ballroom. No guests will be allowed without a wristband. Hand sanitizer stations will be situated throughout the interior and exterior of the ballroom. The Marriott Marquis has increased outdoor air dilution and improved filtration in alignment with guidance from the CDC, WHO and ASHRAE while maintaining the temperature and relative humidity levels needed for guest comfort. Portable air purification units will also be place in strategic locations. UNCF has eliminated the VIP Reception, Red Carpet photo Ops/Step and repeat and tables will be spaced six feet apart. Guests will be required to wear masks. “We want to provide our guests with the traditional gala experience while working to ensure everyone remains safe at the ball this year as we return to an in-person event. We will follow COVID-19 safety procedures, as advised, as we focus on raising funds for student support and continue to push the vision and mission of UNCF,” said Justine Boyd, regional development director, UNCF.

The evening will be hosted by the honorable Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta, with a special appearance by Atlanta Mayor-Elect Andrea Dickens. The presenting sponsor of this year’s event is Georgia Power. The emcee for the evening will be actress Lynn Whitfield, and -UNCF’s auction event will now be held on-line, and bidders can win autographed shoes (size 22) from Shaq, a getaway spa experience to Jamaica Couples Resort, an autographed Hank Aaron baseball and a HBO Official Poster from the film John Lewis: Good Trouble signed by Director Dawn Porter and Producer Erika Alexander.

Founded in 1983, the Mayor’s Masked Ball is Atlanta’s premier holiday season event. The event helps support area UNCF-member institutions including Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and The Interdenominational Theological Center. Officials scheduled to attend include Senator Ralph Warnock, US Representative Nikema Williams, Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre (Ambassador to Dominican Republic), Dr. George French (Clark Atlanta University), Dr. David Thomas (Morehouse College); Matthew Wesley Williams (The Interdenominational Theological Center); Dr. Lisa Herring, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Kevin James (Morris Brown), Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice and Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF Co-chairs for the event are Bentina Chisolm Terry, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Corporate Services, Georgia Power, and Charmaine Ward- Millner, Director, Corporate Relations, Georgia Power. Event honorees are Andrea Carter, Global Payments, and Charles Johnson, Trust Securities. Part of the event will also highlight special tributes to Henry “Hank” Aaron

During the 2019 school year, 770 scholarships totaling $7,729,420 were awarded to students from Georgia. From its beginning, 38 years ago, educating students has always been at the forefront of the fundraising event’s mission. With the success of the Atlanta UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, thousands of students have a brighter future because of the support they have received. In the past few years, more than 800 students attending UNCF-member colleges and universities were able to get to and through college without the interruption of financial challenges.

In 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 historically Black colleges and universities and advocates for minority higher education. Other event supporters are marquis sponsors Amazon, Chick-Fil-A, the Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Global Payments, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Mercedes Benz USA, UPS, and a host of others.

For more information, visit UNCF.org/Atlanta or call 404.302.8623. To donate to HBCU online, visit www.UNCF.org/Atlantammb

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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.