UNCF Charlotte to host 2025 Mayor’s Masked Ball
Through events like this, UNCF is changing the HBCU narrative across the nation by helping underrepresented students to get to and through college
UNCF will host its 11th annual Charlotte Mayor’s Masked Ball on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., at the Charlotte Convention Center. Nearly 1,500 corporate partners, educators, religious leaders and community influencers are expected to attend, and all guests will enjoy a live performance by Grammy-nominated R&B icon Charlie Wilson.
For more than 80 years, UNCF has strived to change the narrative of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation by equipping more HBCU students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately establish careers that will build better futures for our society.
“I believe 2025 is a year ripe with potential for growth, innovation and the opportunity to contribute positively to the mission of UNCF and the value of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs),” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.“I am particularly excited about events like this one and other initiatives we have lined up for this year. Together, we have the opportunity to nurture collaboration, spark creativity and strengthen our collective resilience to provide the essential financial resources necessary to ensure the continued success of HBCUs and their students.”
“As we approach our ninth decade of existence, UNCF remains vigilant and more committed than ever to achieving our mission of helping underrepresented students to fulfill their college dreams and attain career success,” Dr. Lomax continued. “No obstacles that might come our way will impede our progress. We stand ready to fight for the critical financial resources HBCUs will need to tackle the challenges and opportunities that await them. Events like the 11th Annual UNCF Charlotte Mayor’s Masked Ball help us do just that.”
The event is co-chaired by two dynamic couples, Serena and Kieth Cockrell and Nina and James Jackson. Sponsors include Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; Bank of America Corporation; Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.; Charlotte Hornets; Honeywell International, Inc.; Truist Financial Corporation and many others.
The UNCF MASKED award will be presented to Marvin Ellison, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lowe’s and the UNCF Community Impact award will be given to Mrs. Carlenia Ivory-Cantey, for their steadfast commitment to education and unwavering support of UNCF. Another major highlight of the evening will be awarding R&B icon Charlie Wilson with the UNCF MASKED Lifetime Achievement award.
“We are thrilled to gather the Charlotte community for this highly anticipated annual fundraising event. Each contribution made directly empowers our students to achieve their dreams and unlock their potential. Together, we create pathways for education and growth, and we are grateful for the unwavering support of our co-chairs, our planning committee, our generous donors, volunteers and partners who make this possible,” said Tiffany Jones-Boyd, area development director, North Carolina area office.
With the help of the greater Charlotte community, over $3.5 million was awarded last year in scholarships and programs for UNCF-member HBCUs and other colleges and universities, including Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, NC), Livingstone College (Salisbury, NC), Bennett College (Greensboro, NC), Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh, NC) and Shaw University (Raleigh, NC).
Charlie Wilson, known as the founding member and lead singer of the legendary The Gap Band and more recently as “Uncle Charlie”, will deliver a show-stopping live performance. The event will also feature a student testimonial from Charlotte native and UNCF Gantt-McColl Scholar Tori Jarrett (sophomore, Spelman College) and red-carpet interviews hosted by media partner WBTV. Last year, close to $1.5 million was raised to help deserving students from the Charlotte area get to and through college successfully.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Tiffany Jones-Boyd at 201-304-2933 or by email at TJones@uncf.org. Unable to attend, but want to make a difference in a student’s life? Please visit www.UNCF.org/Charlotte to donate. Also, stay connected to UNCF throughout the year but follow us @UNCFCharlotte, #UNCFCharlotte or #CharlotteMMB on social media.
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About UNCF
UNCF is one of the nation’s largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students’ access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram.