Hampton Roads UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball Announces Co-chairs Marcellus “Boo” Williams and Sonya Davis

Local Virginia mayors, celebrities and corporate plan to come together virtually to benefit deserving students and historically Black colleges and universities.

The fifth annual Hampton Roads UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball, a signature black-tie fundraising event is set to take place at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Saturday, March 12, 2022. This year’s UNCF Masked Ball honorary co-chairs are Marcellus Spencer Williams Jr. affectionately known as Boo Williams, AAU Chairman of Boys Basketball in Hampton Roads and Sonya Daniels, Area Manager, Assistant Vice President of Primis Bank located in the Peninsula and Williamsburg markets.

“We are honored to have Boo Williams and Sonya Daniels serve as honorary co-chairs for this event and extremely grateful for their support,” said Dana Brown, area development director, UNCF.

Boo Williams, a basketball star at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Virginia left for Philadelphia to become a college standout at Saint Joseph’s University. After playing professional basketball in Europe, Williams returned to his hometown and in 1982 created the Boo Williams Summer League with only $400 and forty-six players. The League, now known as the Boo Williams Nike Invitational has grown to more than 200 teams. There are more than 2,000 male and female participants from across the country. Over the years his teams have won multiple national Amateur Athletic Union Championships and many players have graduated from college, the Olympics, and professional ranks.

Sonya Daniels is passionate about investing in her community by sharing her time, talents, and banking skills acquired over the years. She is well known as a servant leader, financially wise and a connector. with an exceptional gift of bringing people together to collaborate, solve community issues or systemic problems.

Sonya provides leadership and management for Primis Bank with approximately $40 million in aggregate loan/deposit balances ensuring profitability, growth, and sound operation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of four organizations, and campaign supporter for millennial candidates in Hampton Roads. She works tirelessly to leverage her relationships to advance their mission, vision, and values.

The evening will feature a Masked Award Presentation, host reception, silent auction, paddle raise, entertainment and much more.

The mayoral host committee includes Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander (Norfolk), Mayor Michael D. “Mike” Duman (Suffolk), Mayor Robert M. “Bobby” Dyer (Virginia Beach), Mayor Shannon E. Glover (Portsmouth), Mayor McKinley L. Price, DDS (Newport News), Mayor Dr. Richard W. “Rick” West (Chesapeake), and Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President and CEO of Virginia Union University, UNCF member institution. The Honorable Donnie R. Tuck, Hampton Virginia will be our 2022 Host Mayor.

Last year’s UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball generated a record $300 thousand helping to get Virginia students to and through school while enabling the local UNCF office in Richmond to provide more than 1.3 million in scholarships in the 2020-2021 academic year.

“UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation,” explained Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “Events such as the Hampton Roads Mayors’ Masked Ball raise awareness of our mission and equip more students of color with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America’s highly educated workforce.”

For information on sponsorships or to donate, please call 804.359.1581, e-mail dana.brown@uncf.org or visit www.uncf.org/hamptonroadsmmb

Follow this event on social media #UNCFHamptonRoads #UNCFVA @UNCFVA