Corporate Gift Giving sets new Fundraising Record For UNCF Atlanta Mayor's Masked Ball

ATLANTA - Jan. 12, 2022 - PRLog -- The 38^th 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 and, actress Eva Marsille. For more information, visit UNCF.org/Atlanta or call 404.302.8623.