UNCF Detroit Fundraising Gala Set to Ignite Hope and Opportunity for Education

Through events like this, UNCF—now in its 80th year—is changing the HBCU narrative across the nation by helping more students of color get to and through college

As a major part of our yearlong 80th anniversary celebration, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host the UNCF Michigan “A Mind Is…”^® Gala, Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Townsend Hotel.  A VIP Reception (by invitation only) begins at 6:30 pm and the Gala at 7:30 pm.  Several corporate partners, educators, religious leaders and community influencers are expected to attend.

For 80 years, UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation by equipping more historically Black college and university (HBCU) students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately establish careers that will build better futures for our society.

“Since we were founded in 1944, UNCF has fueled HBCUs with vital resources to educate generations of African American and other minority students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.

“This year marks our 80th anniversary. Our theme is Honoring the Legacy, Transforming our Future. We will acknowledge and celebrate our founders, donors and philanthropic partners over the last eight decades. And we will be encouraging and transforming the next generation through education to achieve greater successes for our community and this nation,” Dr. Lomax noted.

“UNCF and HBCUs matter now more than ever as our students and institutions need ongoing support. I encourage you to invest in UNCF so together we can invest in and build future generations of Black college students who will lead this nation and contribute to our economy. Events like the UNCF Michigan “A Mind Is…”^® Gala help us do just that.”

Delta Air Lines is the presenting sponsor for the UNCF Michigan “A Mind Is…”^® Gala including Detroit Children’s Fund, DTE Energy Foundation, KeyBank, First Independence Bank, and The Kresge Foundation and more.

Honorees are: Tiffany S. Douglas, senior vice president, global women’s initiative and underrepresented talent strategy executive, Bank of America – “A Mind Is…”^® Keeper of the Flame award recipient and AAA-The Auto Club Group – “A Mind Is…”^® Legacy award recipient.

“In academic year 2022-23 Michigan students received $1,214,122 from UNCF managed scholarships that assisted them in getting to and through school. This is possible because of donors who support events like the UNCF Michigan “A Mind Is…”^® Gala and their belief that that Michigan Matters to UNCF that help us to succeed,” said Patrice M. Neal, UNCF Detroit area development director.

Proceeds from the reception will support UNCF-member HBCUs and college students from Michigan.

Entertainment for the night will be provided by “The Empress of Soul” – Terisa Griffin.  The event host is (retired) Fox 2 News, three-time Emmy award winner, Huel Perkins.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Patrice Neal at patrice.neal@uncf.org. Unable to attend, but want to make a difference in a student’s life?  Visit UNCF.org/MichiganAMI .  To stay connected to UNCF throughout the year, please visit UNCF.org/Detroit. You can also follow this event #UNCFMichigan on social media.

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About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.