By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will celebrate its 80th anniversary at the Hilton Baltimore on Oct. 26. The Masked Ball will serve as a time to uplift the pivotal contributions of organizations and individuals and raise money for the UNCF’s ongoing work in education.
AFRO publisher Frances “Toni” Draper will be honored at the event alongside Benjamin Morgan, vice president of Maryland operations for Barton Malow, and Alicia Wilson, managing director and head of regional philanthropy for North America at JPMorgan Chase.
“I grew up hearing the United Negro College Fund’s slogan that ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste.’ It’s something you internalize,” said Dr. Draper. “They’ve done so much good work to help young people get into college and to get the money they need to do that.”
Dr. Draper has carried on the legacy of her great grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr., who founded the newspaper in 1892. But, she has also
Aside from continuing the legacy of her grandfather John H. Murphy Sr., who founded the newspaper in 1892, Dr. Draper served as an educator in Baltimore City Public Schools. She also had a stint as vice chair of the Board of Regents for Morgan State University, her alma mater, and as vice chair for Baltimore’s Literacy Foundation.
As head of the AFRO, she has demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to amplifying and preserving Black history.
“The United Negro College Fund is an important part of the fabric of the African-American community,” said Draper. “I am honored to be honored by them.”
Founded in 1944, the UNCF exists to advance Black education by awarding scholarships to students and deploying funding to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since its establishment, the organization has benefitted more than 500,000 students, delivering millions of dollars in scholarships each year. The six-year graduation rate for UNCF scholarship recipients is 70 percent, which is nine percent higher than the national average for students of all races and 31 percent higher than the national average for all African Americans.
Brave Williams, multi-unit franchise owner, singer and actress, will host the UNCF’s Masked Ball. The West Baltimore native recently landed a deal with Workout Anytime to open 23 fitness centers along the East coast.
Her first gyms recently opened in Lanham, Md. and Manassas, Va. At the Lanham location, Williams opened a laundromat, VIP Bubbles, next door, encouraging patrons to “drop a load while you lose a load.”
She said she was honored to serve as host for the prolific event.
“This is an organization that funds so many scholarships for Black students and promotes education in a way that lets them know they are not alone,” said Williams. “Anytime you can impact a community, especially when it’s education-driven, I’m all in. It’s in my DNA to want to help and inspire people.”
The ball will feature a live performance by emerging pop and R&B singer Gabby Samone. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will support books, room and board, tuition and fees for students.
Wilson said she was over the moon when she discovered she was an honoree.
“I am just so truly grateful that my name would even be considered in association with an organization that has such a tremendous legacy,” said Wilson.
JPMorgan Chase has been a long-standing supporter of HBCUs. It maintains partnerships with 19 institutions. In 2021, the firm teamed up with the UNCF to launch the J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Scholarship Program, which is set to award 375 scholarships through 2025.
“The significance of the United Negro College Fund cannot be overstated. It goes far beyond its investments in HBCUs and student bodies,” said Wilson. It really has significance for our entire community because as individuals, regardless of their financial means, have access to quality education it drives inclusion for our community.”
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