Black Community Opinions

Hampton Roads Delivers Another Successful UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball

“The UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball brought together over 500 guests for a night of elegance and philanthropy in Hampton Roads. With the support of local leaders and sponsors, this annual event continues to uplift students and communities, embodying the spirit of unity and generosity.”

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New Journal and Guide Staff

HAMPTON ROADS

On March 2, 2024, The United Negro Fund (UNCF) presented its highly anticipated Annual Mayors’ Masked Ball in Hampton Roads. This year’s event attracted more than 500 guests to the Virginia Beach Convention Center to include corporate and business partners and sponsors, dignitaries, civic leaders, alumni and community influencers.

The annual Ball is hosted by the Mayors of the seven cities comprising Hampton Roads: cities of Virginia Beach, Mayor Bobby Dyer; Hampton, Mayor Donnie Tuck; Norfolk, Mayor Dr. Kenneth Alexander; Newport News, Mayor Phillip Jones; Portsmouth, Mayor Shannon Glover; Chesapeake, Mayor Dr. Richard West; and Suffolk, Mayor Mike Duman.

The national star-studded Black tie fundraiser began locally in 2018 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It was cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic, and returned in-person in 2022 to the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. It has also been held in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Five awards were given this year during the gala: Bishop Kim Brown and Elder Valerie Brown, The Mount Global Fellowship of Churches; Dr. Scott Miller, President of Virginia Wesleyan University; Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Founder of the Virginia African-American Cultural Center and Virginia Beach City Councilwoman; and Tricia Anne Pangliman Orgilla, Community Activist.

Ball highlights included a silent auction; a Masked Reception; red carpet photo ops; elegant dining; and live entertainment.

Since 1983 when the first UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball was held in Atlanta, Ga., the UNCF’s signature fundraising event has been held annually in various cities across the nation, including Washington, D.C., Charlotte, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

While funds raised are earmarked primarily for students attending the 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) served by the UNCF, students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country are eligible for financial support from UNCF. In Virginia, these include, Hampton University, Virginia University of Lynchburg, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University

The Virginia UNCF Office is headed by Dana Brown, Area Development Director, and Dianna Ruffin, Development Associate,

For more information, visit UNCF.org/hamptonroadsmmb or contact Dana Brown at (804) 218-7495 or Dana Brown at Dana.Brown@uncf.org or Dianna Ruffin at (804) 218-0729 or Dianna.Ruffin@uncf.org.