By AFRO Staff
The United Negro College Fund is bringing one of its famed masked balls to Baltimore, partnering with Mayor Brandon Scott to present the event on Sept. 9, 2023, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
The inaugural UNCF Baltimore Mayor’s Masked Ball, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., is one of the organization’s premier fundraising soirees. The occasions are meant not only to raise funding, but also to raise awareness of the needs and benefits of a college education, the students UNCF aids in moving to and through college, and the integral role of historically Black colleges and universities.
Moreover, the organizers said, the event is meant to be an evening of celebration, of glamour, fashion and fun.
Hosted by honorary chairs, David Wilson, president, Morgan State University; Anthony Jenkins, president, Coppin State University; and a diverse group of corporate sponsors, local businesses and professional organizations, the ball is likely to be attended by civic leaders, alumni, dignitaries, volunteers and friends of UNCF.
“I’m thrilled to join Mayor Scott to bring the Mayor’s Masked Ball to the great city of Baltimore,” said Harry Christian III, development director, UNCF. I commend Mayor Scott and the City of Baltimore for your unwavering commitment and support to UNCF and our mission to invest in students of color to help make better futures for us all.”
During the celebration, Freeman Harbowski, president emeritus of UMBC (The University of Maryland, Baltimore County), and Sashi Brown, president of the Baltimore Ravens, will each receive the M.A.S.K.E.D. (Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams) award for their steadfast commitment to education and ongoing support of UNCF.
For almost eight decades, UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation by equipping more HBCU students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America’s highly educated workforce.
It is a goal that Mayor Scott said he is happy to support.
“Education is a portal system into gaining knowledge that can never be taken away from our young people,” Scott said. “We are proud to welcome UNCF into Charm City for their inaugural Baltimore Mayor’s Masked Ball in an effort to raise awareness on the cultural importance of attending historically Black colleges and universities and providing resources to ease the process of attending college.”
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit UNCF.org/BaltimoreMMB or contact Harry Christian III at 202.810.0333 or by email at harry.christian@uncf.org.
