UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball Los Angeles Secures Better Futures for the Next Generation of Leaders

    LOS ANGELES, CA, February 28, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- March 18 marks the 6th annual UNCF Mayor's Masked Ball in Los Angeles at the J.W. Marriott at 6 p.m. Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has raised over $4.5 billion in private funds and has become the leading scholarship entity for minority students outside of the federal government. The annual event, hosted by UNCF President and CEO, Dr. Michael L. Lomax and the Honorable Eric Garcetti, mayor of the City of Los Angeles, aims to help provide area students the resources to get to and through college.

"College affordability is one of the defining issues of our time, and we must put higher education within reach for everyone who wants to pursue it," said Garcetti. "Historically black colleges and universities have helped countless people chase their dreams. I am honored to host the Mayor's Masked Ball--and thrilled to support UNCF and its donors in their mission to help students get to and through college."

"The continued support of Mayor Garcetti and the community of Los Angeles is invaluable to the work of UNCF," said Lomax. "For six years, we've looked forward to a night that brings generations together through education, forging a greater path for our students to be successful."

This year, UNCF LA will honor Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; and Marx Cazenave Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame inductee. Both will be recognized with the UNCF Masked Award in Los Angeles for their dedication and support of UNCF's work.

"The most famous thing about UNCF is probably our tagline, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,'" says Jennifer Childress, UNCF Los Angeles area development director. "In times such as these, when neither the challenge nor opportunity has ever been greater, this sentiment rings especially true. It has never been more important to invest in the education of these young leaders. At our 6th annual Los Angeles Mayor's Masked Ball, we will redouble our efforts to ensure that students of color get to and through college, prepared to take their place in the world as the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators."

In addition to honoring Bunch and Cazenave, the evening will feature a live auction, elegant dining, live entertainment performed by DW3 plus UNCF's signature Parade of Stars and Dignitaries and the Parade of Masks, which is set to be announced by the incomparable actress and singer, Dawnn Lewis.

Follow this event on social media @UNCF #MMBLA #UNCFLA

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 nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in." Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF

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