Billye Aaron Raises Funds For UNCF Scholarships In Lieu of Birthday Gifts

ATLANTA - Nov. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, the annual fundraising gala and premier social event of the holiday season, will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015, 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

No one is happier with the continued success of this HBCU major funder than Billey S. Aaron, co-founder of this formal holiday soiree 32 years ago. Mrs. Aaron, wife of baseball legend Hank Aaron and the first African American woman to host a daily talk show in the Southeast is herself a HBCU graduate.

In a tradition she started a few years ago, in lieu of birthday presents for her 79^th celebratory dinner, Mrs. Aaron asked that her guests donate to her UNCF scholarship fund. And they did in a big way. With a goal of reaching a million dollars, $112,000 was donated at the dinner this year. She will match that bringing the total to $224,000. Add that to the $464,000 already received and she is close to her million dollar goal.

Started by Mrs. Aaron along with former Mayor Andrew Young in 1983, the Ball is hosted by the city's current Mayor and is largely supported by local corporate and civic entities. A much anticipated holiday event that raises unrestricted dollars for UNCF's support for local students, the Ball attracts a diverse array of attendees from across the area, including local celebrities, dignitaries, civic and elected officials.

Ball highlights include The VIP Masked Award Reception, Silent Holiday Auction, Red Carpet Parade of Stars and Dignitaries, Elegant Dining, Parade of Masks, Dancing and Live entertainment by four time Grammy nominated R&B recording artist Johnny Gill who released his new album “Game Changers” in December 2014.

Marquis Sponsors of the 2015 UNCF Atlanta Mayor's Masked Ball are:  The Coca Cola Co., Delta Air Lines and UPS. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.uncf.org or call 404 302-8623.

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, 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 percent 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 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.