UNCF Washington DC Mayors Masked Ball

WASHINGTON - March 4, 2015 - PRLog -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Mayor Muriel Bowser will co-host the organization’s inaugural Washington Area Mayor’s Masked Ball, celebrating UNCF’s 71st anniversary and honoring local supporters who enable UNCF to get deserving students to and through college. Civic, business and educational leaders across the Washington Metropolitan Area will gather Saturday, March 7, 2015, 7 p.m., at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson will co-host the Ball.

"The contributions of the United Negro College Fund have positively changed the lives of so many young people in the District and across the country," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "Because of these efforts, thousands of young people have enrolled in higher education and are now competitors on the global scale. I am honored to host the District’s Inaugural UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball and to support and foster necessary resources for our city’s youth. The proceeds from this event will contribute to the UNCF’s long tradition of serving youth from all walks of life."

During the 2013-2014 academic year, UNCF provided 320 Washington area students with more than $1.5 million in scholarship support. Even with these awards, the average unmet need for UNCF scholarship recipients in this area is $20,000. The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is the largest fundraising event held by the UNCF Washington Office and allows progressive companies to participate in funding and providing college access to America’s under-privileged youth.

"We are so very excited to have the support of our distinguished Mayor Muriel Bowser for this first Washington presentation of the Mayor’s Masked Ball," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO. "Mayor Bowser has already demonstrated that

providing opportunities for young people is one of her top priorities with the expansion of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program."

The investment UNCF is making in better futures for young people will pay dividends for all of us when they become the next generation of leaders that the Washington Metropolitan Area – and the country – need in the future."

UNCF Washington will honor some of its top donors with the Masked Award including Pepco which has been a UNCF donor for more than 30 years and; and Antioch Baptist Church in Virginia will be recognized as one of the top church donors in the area. Former "Mayor for Life" Marion S. Barry will be recognized with the Masked Award posthumously for his legacy of creating opportunities for young people.

Tables and tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting Charles Thompson, 202. 810.0282 charles.thompson@uncf.org or Jennifer Coker 202.810.0333 jennifer.coke@uncf.org or online through http://give.uncf.org/dcmmb.