UNCF Celebrates 75 Years of Impact at 7th annual Twin Cities Masked Ball

Hosted by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter; event raised over $400,000 for historically black colleges and universities and scholarships for Minnesota students  

MINNEAPOLIS—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.  As it marks such a major milestone, UNCF hosted the 7th annual Twin Cities Masked Ball on Saturday, May 11 at the JW Marriott, Mall of America. Nearly 400 community influencers, business, civic, and education leaders, including event honorary chairs, the Honorable Melvin Carter, mayor, city of St. Paul and the Honorable Jacob Frey, mayor, city of Minneapolis came out and raised over $400,000 for historically black colleges & universities (HBCUs) and for scholarships to help Minnesota students get to and through college.

“With the continued support of mayors Carter and Frey and the Twin Cities community, UNCF is able to make a greater impact in the lives of area students,” said Laverne McCartney Knighton, area development director, UNCF. “In order to secure thriving communities, we must build a bridge to quality education for all.”

Every year, UNCF honors individuals who advocate for a quality education for all.

Event chairs St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Event chairs St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Mayors Frey and Carter
Mayors Frey and Carter
Marquis Sponsors Cargill
Marquis Sponsors Cargill
Katie Sieben from Cargill
Katie Sieben from Cargill
Michael Cox, UNCF's Area Development Director, Chicago Campaign.
Michael Cox, UNCF's Area Development Director, Chicago Campaign.
Honorees Cornell and Wenda Moore, with mayors and Michael Cox
Honorees Cornell and Wenda Moore, with mayors and Michael Cox
Omicron Boule with honoree Cornell Moore
Omicron Boule with honoree Cornell Moore
The popular paddle raise
The popular paddle raise
Area student Kayla Reese
Area student Kayla Reese
The Links, Honoree Wenda Moore
The Links, Honoree Wenda Moore
Sponsors U.S. Bank with Mayor Frey
Sponsors U.S. Bank with Mayor Frey
U.S. Bank with mayors
U.S. Bank with mayors

HBCU alums and power husband and wife duo Cornell and Wenda Moore and UNCF longtime supporter U.S. Bank received the 2019 Masked Award for their commitment to changing the narrative of HBCUs and the students that attend them.

Through the contributions made from event sponsors Cargill, Delta, U.S. Bank, Pohlad Companies, 3M, Allianz, Ecolab, Best Buy, Mortenson, General Mills, Medtronic Foundation, Target, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP and Wells Fargo, UNCF will continue its work of providing a path to success for the next generation of leaders. “In order to secure thriving communities, we must build a bridge to a quality education for all. The tremendous support from our sponsors helps UNCF continue this mission,” said McCartney Knighton.

Mychael Rambo, actor, vocalist, and arts educator served as the master of ceremonies. DJ MV provided the entertainment for the evening.

For information on how you can support the local Minneapolis office of UNCF, please visit: UNCF.org/Minneapolis or contact Laverne McCartney Knighton, area development director at 612.338.5742.

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About UNCF
UNCF (the 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. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. 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 60,000 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.