NEW ORLEANS – For 75 years, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) has supported hundreds of thousands of deserving students, private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and advocated for minority higher education. As it marks such a major milestone, UNCF will celebrate all year long via its fundraising events across the country including the first-ever New Orleans UNCF Mayor's Mask Off After Party set for 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Hyatt Regency, immediately following the signature Mayor's Masked Ball. The event's entertainment will feature Grammy-nominated artist and producer, Mannie Fresh and the evening will be hosted by local media personality, Tara Johnson. Details were shared in a press release.
"The Mayor's Mask Off After Party is a way for us to expand our reach with the young professionals in our community," said Therese Badon, vice president of development, Southern Region for UNCF. "The concept was to design a party specific to the interests and needs of this target audience in order to empower them in their support of UNCF. Our younger donor audience keeps our mission purposeful and vibrant as they are not too far removed from their college years and therefore understand the need to support education."
Additionally, the new Mask Off event has been designed with a price point of $100 per ticket to attract young professional donors who wish to support the organization and its mission.
To assist in supporting this cause, UNCF partnered with the Spears Group – a local, award-winning, public and strategic communications and experiential engagement firm-to produce the event and tap into some of the city's young professional network. As a result, 28 young professionals and entrepreneurs in the city have agreed to be a part of the event's inaugural host committee.
"UNCF New Orleans is an organization that has a storied history in education in our city," said Cleveland Spears, III, president and CEO, Spears Group. "As a young professional, I knew the importance of supporting such an important cause. By introducing UNCF to this strong, connected network of young professionals in the city, it is my hope this will foster new partnerships and other opportunities for UNCF with this group beyond the Mask Off After Party."
The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets for the Mayor's Mask Off After Party, please visit www.uncf.org/NOLAMaskoffparty.
