UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball marks 40 years of supporting Atlanta HBCUs, exceeds fundraising goal raising $4 million
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With Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens serving as the host for the evening, the United Negro College Fund’s Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball celebrated its 40th anniversary, with glitz and glitter, as it raised a record-breaking $4 million dollars to support Atlanta’s six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Nicole “Nikki” Clifton, President of Social Impact at the UPS Foundation, served as this year’s honorary chair. UPS was a Title Sponsor, along with Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, Nike, Google, Norfolk Southern, and the Coca-Cola Company.
The 2023 Ball was sold out months in advance, with donations pouring in from businesses and individuals wanting to support the cause. Clifton announced during the dinner that UPS would donated $1 million dollars to UNCF, in addition to their initial pledge of $250,000. This announcement received a round of applause from the excited audience and contributed significantly to the overall success of the fundraising initiative for the evening. The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball continues to play a crucial role in supporting education and HBCUs in the Atlanta community to address historical underfunding issues.
Spotlight Publisher and business woman Shelia Edward, who also serves as a co-chair for the Mayors’ Ball, hosted a table that included many south Cobb guests including Mableton Mayor Michael Owens and State Rep. Terry Cummings and her husband John.
The Mayor’s Ball, which has been a holiday tradition in Atlanta for four decades, took place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and featured singer Stephanie Mills as the headline entertainer. Here are a few key aspects of the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball:
The ball was founded by Billye Aaron and Ambassador Andrew Young during Young’s first term as mayor of Atlanta. In its early years, the event was associated with Lou Rawls’ annual telethon for HBCUs. Since 2000, the Atlanta event has raised over $24 million. Other Georgia cities, including Columbus and Macon, also host masked Balls. The acronym “Masked” stands for Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams.
