UNCF raises more than $800,000 at black and white ball

Jet, July 11, 2005

The United Negro College Fund raised more than $800,000 at its recent Fifth Gala Anniversary Black & White Ball in Chicago.

Some 1,200 guests gathered at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers to sup port the organization, which provides college scholarships to deserving students, and to salute this year's honorees, songstylist Nancy Wilson and Chief Executive Officer of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Mark A. Angelson.

Famed songstylist Wilson received the Legacy Award for her 30 years of support. John Levy, her manager of more than 45 years, presented the award to Wilson, whose "Something Special" telethon was the earliest predecessor to UNCF's annual "An Evening of Stars" television fund-raiser.

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax presented Angelson with the Harold H. Hines Jr. Award for the company's ongoing commitment to the organization.

Eddie Levert Sr., Walter Williams Sr., and Eric Grant, members of the 2005 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inductee the O'Jays, performed classics such as Back Stabbers, For the Love of Money, and Love Train.

The O'Jays and the Women for Emil Jones (Illinois State Senator), each donated $5,000 to UNCF.

"We are so thankful to all of our sponsors and guests for helping make our fifth anniversary our best Black & White Ball ever," says Jann Honore, UNCF Chicago Area Development Director.

WGN's Merri Dee served as mistress of ceremonies at the "Black & White & Bling"-themed party, where guests such as Dr. Walter Massey, Morehouse College president, and Dr. Woodie T. White, UNCF vice president of the Midwest region, partied the night away.

Chicago's corporate and civic community figures were also in attendance. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Cook County Board President John H. Stroger Jr., and Senator Jones served as honorary co-chairs.

Party sponsors included Target, who hosted the cocktail reception, American Family Insurance, Chicago Tribune Foundation, ComEd, HSBC North America Holdings Inc., LaSalle Bank, McCormick Tribune Foundation, Northern Trust, Procter & Gamble, and R.R. Donnelley.

UNCF was founded in 1944 and has raised more than $2.3 billion to support its 39 member institutions and has helped more than 350,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Proceeds from the Black and White Ball will allow UNCF to administer more than 450 scholarships and fellowship programs for students and faculty who attend its member and nonmember historically Black colleges and universities.

--Photos by Dot Ward