Recently, A star-studded crowd of 1500 of New Yorks elite joined UNCF (United Negro College Fund) at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, for an evening of inspiration and entertainment. The “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” Gala was hosted by celebrity Bill Bellamy to celebrate “Game Changers” in education. The Gala raised $3.7 million to support scholarships and programs that reach more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country each year through UNCF. UNCF has been changing the face of education for 68 years and honoring those who have blazed the path to giving all Americans the education they need, and that the nation needs them to have. This annual celebration raises funds to help UNCF send more young people to college and brings together friends and supporters of UNCF, including board members, college presidents, corporate partners, students and alumni. Lowe’s Charitable And Educational Foundation (LCEF) and ExxonMobil helped UNCF exceed its fundraising goal and raise $1 million more than last year’s inaugural “A Mind Is” Gala. The money, earmarked for Campaign for Emergency Student Aid (CESA), will provide emergency education assistance to college juniors and seniors impacted by the changing economy and challenges they face with college expenses that must be paid before they can graduate. ExxonMobil, who started contributing to CESA three years ago with an initial contribution of $1 million dollars, announced a$500,000 matching grant. Lowe’s Charitable And Educational Foundation announced an additional $1 million contribution to CESA, which brings their giving total to $1.75 million.
In a moving tribute to the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, UNCF president and CEO, Dr. Michael Lomax presented the inaugural UNCF Shirley Chisholm Community Service Award for Innovation in Education to students he called, “the civil rights education activists of our generation. They are gifted, they are driven, and they are committed to succeeding where the education system has failed.” Award recipients were Corps Members of Teach For America who attended UNCF member institutions. They were joined on stage by Wendy Kopp, CEO and Founder of Teach For America who also applauded their commitment to ensuring students in disadvantaged areas have a chance at receiving the education they need to prepare them for the future.
Two-time Super Bowl Defensive End, Justin Tuck was also honored at “A Mind Is” Gala. Justin and his wife Lauran are recipients of the UNCF President’s Award for the literacy work they do through their Tuck’s R.U.S.H. (Read, Understand, Succeed, Hope) for Literacy Foundation.
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 38 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 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.
To help a UNCF student stay in school, visit www.uncf.org and click on the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid icon to make a donation.
