2024 UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball builds upon its legacy

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) celebrates 80 years of impacting lives and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year, Atlanta’s most important holiday party, the Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball, moved to the Signia Hotel by Hilton. Within a few hundred yards from the world-famous Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the award-winning State Farm Arena, this year’s venue hosted more than 2,300 people.

Anthony Anderson was the Master of Ceremonies and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was the host. In the previous four years, the UNCF has raised more than $1 billion dollars.

“This year marks our 80th anniversary. Our theme is ‘Honoring the Legacy, Transforming our Future,’” said CEO of the United Negro College Fund, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, in a statement. We will acknowledge and celebrate our founders, donors, and philanthropic partners over the last eight decades. And we will encourage and transform the next generation through education to achieve greater success for our community and this nation.”

Guests were greeted to various images highlighting seminal moments for the UNCF and the institutions they serve. For example, there was a photo of the late Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson supporting the UNCF during their awards ceremony in 1988. At that time, Fisk University presented Jackson with an honorary doctorate degree for his music career while supporting HBCUs. The evening was so grand, even President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Michael Jackson is, “the new Dr. J.”

After dinner and a rousing auction, attendees were treated to the legendary sounds of ‘Uncle’ Charlie Wilson. For people unable to attend the gala inside Signia Hotel, they were able to hear DJ Mars and DJ Princess Cut on the wheels of steel at the “After Masked Ball” after party! Big Boi and Killer Mike performed live as well! Those proceeds also benefitted the UNCF.

As of right now, more than $3 million was raised to send kids to college!

The Beginnings of the Mayors Masked Ball

Forty-one years ago, the late Hank Aaron, wife Billye, and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, began hosting the Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball. It benefits students attending thirteen private HBCUs in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Here are the schools served by this premiere philanthropic effort:

Georgia

• Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta)
• The Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta)
• Morehouse College (Atlanta)
• Paine College (Augusta)
• Spelman College (Atlanta)

South Carolina

• Allen University (Columbia)
• Benedict College (Columbia)
• Claflin University (Orangeburg)
• Morris College (Sumter)
• Voorhees University  (Denmark)

Tennessee

• Fisk University (Nashville)
• Lane College (Jackson)
• LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis)

For more information, please visit UNCF Atlanta’s website. As the great Lou Rawls famously said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste!”

Here’s the photo gallery!