Ocean Bank receives UNCF MASKED Award for educational leadership

MIAMI - Nov. 4, 2015 - PRLog -- Ocean Bank has received the UNCF MASKED Award for expanding higher education opportunities for students of color.

The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) presents the award in 15 major U.S. cities and generates $6 million in annual contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals for scholarships.

The award was presented in October to Ocean Bank President and CEO A. Alfonso Macedo at the UNCF Miami Masked Ball at the Miami Hyatt Regency.

MASKED is an acronym for “Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams.” The award was created by national visual artist Brenda Singletary.

The UNCF said in its statement: “The piece is filled with passion, hope and opportunity, and it reflects the UNCF ideal and mission that ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste®.

“The award is bestowed upon those who have served as beacons of hope, who support the UNCF mission of providing educational opportunities, and help keep the doorway of opportunity wide open for deserving African American youth.”

In a letter to Mr. Macedo, UNCF Regional Development Director Edith Pearson wrote:

“In Miami there are no other philanthropists who have done more to highlight the needs of children or given more time and personal resources to support their development.

Your record of generous support has provided for financial aid for college students and for special programs at UNCF member Florida Memorial University.”

Florida Memorial University, based in Miami Gardens, is the only South Florida institution among the 37 historically-black colleges and universities in UNCF’s network.

About Ocean Bank

Chartered in 1982, Ocean Bank is the largest independent state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Florida, with $3.2 billion in assets and 21 branches throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The community bank is a strong supporter of education and supports a wide variety of initiatives at all levels. It has

received numerous awards and accolades from the Greater Miami Chamber of

Commerce, The Beacon Council and the Florida Department of Education, among others. Learn more at www.oceanbank.com.

About the UNCF

The UNCF is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $4.5 billion to help more than 400,000 students receive college degrees at UNCF-member institutions and with UNCF scholarships. Learn more at http://www.uncf.org.

  Full photo info: Left to right: Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF; Alfonso Macedo, Ocean Bank President and CEO; Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President, Florida Memorial University; Maurice E. Jenkins, Senior Vice President, UNCF National Development.