UNCF’S 15th Annual San Antonio Mayor’s Luncheon
Through events like this, UNCF is changing the HBCU narrative across the nation by helping more students of color get to and through college
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) hosted its 15th annual San Antonio Mayor’s Luncheon on Feb. 5, 2025, at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.
Over 200 San Antonians attended the event, representing local corporate partners, educators and community leaders. Cary Clack, editorial writer and columnist at San Antonio Express-News, joined the program as the emcee. Clay Jones, executive vice president, Frost Bank, accepted the Corporate Flame Award, while the Excellence in Education award was bestowed upon the Hon. Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio.
For 80 years, UNCF has strived to change the narrative of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation by equipping more 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 support to educate generations of African American and other minority students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “UNCF and HBCUs matter now more than ever as our students and institutions need ongoing support. Events like the San Antonio Mayor’s Luncheon help us do just that.”
Local sponsors contributed towards the success of this luncheon, making it the topgrossing UNCF San Antonio Mayor’s Luncheon in its 15-year history. The event raised more than $200,000 from partners including: Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, a company of Arca Continental; City of San Antonio – Aviation Department; City of San Antonio – City Manager’s Office; City of San Antonio – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility; City of San Antonio – Metropolitan Health District; City of San Antonio – Neighborhood Housing and Services; City of San Antonio – Office of Mayor Ron Nirenberg; City of San Antonio – Parks & Recreation; City of San Antonio – Solid Waste Management; City of San Antonio – Ready to Work; Community First Health Plans; San Antonio’s Cultural Corridor; Frost Bank; The Gentry Family Foundation; H-E-B Grocery Company, LP; Marathon Petroleum Corporation; McCombs Foundation Inc.; Port San Antonio; San Antonio Area Foundation; Southwest Airlines Co.; University Health System; USAA (United Services Automobile Association); Valero Energy Corporation; and Whataburger.
“UNCF is honored to see how deeply committed San Antonians are to its mission,” shared Therese Badon, senior vice president, Development, Southern Region, UNCF. “For the past two years, this luncheon has witnessed growth in attendance and fundraising outcomes. Mayor Nirenberg’s passion for education and dedication to providing resources for tomorrow’s generation of San Antonio leaders is echoed by the volume of corporate, civic and community organizations that invest in this event. This year’s honorees, Mayor Nirenberg and Frost Bank were overly deserving of their recognition and UNCF was happy to provide them with this special platform.”
Frankie Andres, UNCF Southern Regional Development Director, closed out the program after more than $21,000 was raised after a challenge grant was issued by H-E-B. The grant was presented by Morjoriee White, a former UNCF scholarship recipient, along with Elishia J. Payne, current student at Huston-Tillotson University. The $10,000 challenge grant was met before the event’s conclusion, with nearly $200,000 going towards scholarships for San Antonio students and operating support for UNCF’s four Texas member institutions: Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian University, Texas College and Wiley University.
For more information and future sponsorship opportunities, contact Frankie Andres at 210-224-1674 or by email at Frankie.Andres@UNCF.org. Want to make a difference in a student’s life? Text “SAL25 YourName” to 41444 or visit www.UNCF.org/SanAntonioLuncheon.
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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. During its 80-year existence, UNCF has raised more than $5 billion and helped more than 500,000 students not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders. 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
