Hampton Roads Welcomes Its Annual UNCF Mayors Masked Ball

New Journal & Guide Staff

HAMPTON ROADS

On March 2, The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will present its Annual  Mayors’ Masked Ball in Hampton Roads. The elegant Black-tie fundraiser began locally in 2018 and is being held this year at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, beginning at 6 p.m.

This highly anticipated social event is supported  by a diverse group of corporate and business partners and sponsors, dignitaries, civic leaders, alumni and community influencers.

Serving as hosts for the Hampton Roads event are the Mayors from the seven Hampton Roads cities, led by Mayor Bobby Dyer of Virginia Beach; Hampton, Mayor Donnie Tuck; Norfolk, Mayor Dr. Kenneth Alexander;  Newport News, Mayor Phillip D. Jones; Portsmouth, Mayor Shannon Glover; Chesapeake, Mayor Dr. Rick West; and Suffolk,  Mayor Mike Duman.

As part of the evening’s events, awards will be given to five distinguished  area persons and one corporation, the Newport News Shipbuilding.

Individuals being honored are 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 include a silent auction; a Masked Reception; red carpet photo ops; elegant dining; and live entertainment.

Since 1983 when the first 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. Funds are earmarked primarily for students attending the 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) served by the UNCF.  Additionally, students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country are eligible for financial support from UNCF.

Other Black-tie balls are held annually in major cities with large African-American populations to include Washington, D.C., Charlotte, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

For more information, 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.