Having a Good Time for a Great Cause: Supporting UNCF HBCUs and Students

Everybody turns out for UNCF’s annual New Jersey Masked Ball, UNCF’s signature fundraising event and one of greater New Jersey’s premier social soirées. But for those whose tastes ran to smaller, less formal and more intimate gatherings of UNCF supporters, UNCF Newark had just what they were looking for: a Pre-Valentine Cocktail Party that raised $6,000 to help students go to and through college. Guests were treated to champagne, elegant hors d’oeuvres and a Valentine’s treasure hunt.

The affair was held at Neiman Marcus Short Hills, and was hosted by Montclair Councilwoman Dr. Renee Baskerville; Newark Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins; Plainfield First Lady Amelia Mapp; New Brunswick Public Schools Asst. Superintendent Marnie G. McKoy; and East Orange’s then-First Lady Bibi Taylor. “It is a pleasure to welcome friends and supporters of UNCF here in our store, and to be a part of this worthy cause,” said Terry Dragoumis, Manager, Public Relations and Special Events for Neiman Marcus Short Hills, as she greeted guests at the door.

Co-host Bibi Taylor noted how important it is to ensure that impediments to college access and completion for our young people are overcome. “My husband, Lester, and I believe in a system of reciprocity.to whom much is given, much is expected. We are proud to support UNCF’s mission and help raise scholarship funds so that under-represented students are able to afford a college education.”

UNCF’s Newark Area Development Director Ngozi Emenyeonu spoke for all who were there: “It’s wonderful that as we celebrate Black History Month with this year’s national theme of ‘Crisis in Black Education,’ that our hosts at Neiman Marcus are lending their time and resources to support UNCF in Building #BetterFutures.”