March 18 masked ball benefits UNCF

NEW ORLEANS — The United Negro College Fund New Orleans Area Office and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will host the 4th annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball on March 18 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Emceed by native New Orleanians Stan Verrett, an ESPN anchor and Arthel Neville, Fox News Network anchor, the event brings together more than 900 business, civic and education leaders in support of UNCF’s work in providing area students resources to get to and through college.
Grammy Award-winning group Kool and the Gang will headline the evening. Dinner entertainment will be by New Orleans native and Grammy Award winner PJ Morton, keyboardist for Maroon 5.
Presidents from two of the 37 private historically black colleges and universities that UNCF supports will also be in attendance.
“It will be an exciting evening as we bring supporters and stakeholders together to invest in Better Futures,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO.
James Beard Lifetime Award recipient Chef Leah Chase will receive the Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educa-tional Dreams Award for her dedication and support of UNCF’s work.
The event will feature a VIP reception, silent auction, 2016 car raffle donated and dinner provided by award-winning celebrity chefs including: Chase, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant; and James Beard Award recipients Chefs Alon Shay, Shaya Restaurant; Tory McPhail, Commander’s Palace; and Stephen Stryjewski, Cochon and Peche restaurants, and host Chef Eric Damidot of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
“Together we have raised over $4.6 million to benefit students in local Historically Black Colleges and Universities since 2014. I am grateful for the work of UNCF and our sponsors on this important initiative. This partnership will help to carry hundreds of local college students across the finish line and into the careers of their dreams. Investing in the college education of our young people and local institutions will impact New Orleans for generations to come,” said Landrieu.
For information online: www.uncf.org/nolam askedball.