UNCF Hosting Inaugural Gala Noir to Inspire Giving by Young Professionals
Appealing to a new generation of leaders and honoring notable young trailblazers from the Washington, DC, Metropolitan area
During the past 75 years, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) has helped nearly half a million students earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective minority education organization in the United States, UNCF also actively supports 37 private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocates for minority higher education.
To celebrate and mark such a major milestone, UNCF will host a new event, the UNCF Gala Noir, in Washington, DC, Saturday, Nov. 9, at the newly opened International Spy Museum. Beginning at 8 p.m., the District’s most notable young professionals will gather on the seventh-floor panoramic ballroom to celebrate HBCUs and the city’s rising leaders of excellence. The event will be a fundraising gala focused on increasing awareness of the contributions of HBCUs and the students they serve. Hosted by philanthropist and entrepreneur Stacey Lee (Clark Atlanta University alum), the who’s who of the DMV area are scheduled to attend, including TV One’s “Fatal Attraction” host and mistress of ceremonies, Ashlei Stevens.
Game-changing community leaders will receive the inaugural Torch awards for their positive impact in areas such as entrepreneurship, education, art and advocacy. Honorees include Eunique Jones, creator, Because of Them We Can (World Changer Award Award); Dr. Marco Clark, founder and CEO, Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts (Making a Difference Award); Dr. Lemar T. White, president, National Black Masters Business Administration, Washington, DC, chapter (Leader of Tomorrow Award); and Jason Reynolds, author (Leaving a Legacy Award).
This must-attend event, presented by the UNCF Young Professionals Affinity Group, will be full of entertainment and glamour aimed at young professionals who support UNCF’s mission of helping students get to, through and beyond college.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit UNCF.org/GalaNoir, or call the UNCF office at 212.820.0140, or email annualgala@uncf.org.
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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, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF.