NEW ORLEANS – The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will host the fourth annual New Orleans Masked Ball on Saturday, March 18, at Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Ave., at 7:00 p.m.
Stan Verrett of ESPN and Arthel Neville of Fox News Network will emcee the event alongside a headline performance by Grammy Award-winning group Kool and the Gang. Dinner entertainment will feature New Orleans native and Grammy Award-winning keyboardist PJ Morton of Maroon 5. This year’s M.A.S.K.E.D. Award will go to Chef Leah Chase honoring her ongoing dedication and support of UNCF’s work. The event will be chaired by Hyatt Regency New Orleans General Manager, Michael O. Smith for the fourth consecutive year, and President and General Manager of WDSU-TV, Joel Vilmenay.
Mayor Landrieu will host a multitude of New Orleans’ civic, business and educational leaders who will enjoy an extravagant four-course meal. Under the direction of Hyatt Regency’s Executive Chef Eric Damidot, other chef partners will include top New Orleans and James Beard Award recipients including Leah Chase, Dooky Chase Restaurants; Tory McPhail, Commander’s Palace; and Stephen Stryjewski, Chochon and Peche Restaurants.
The evening will also feature a VIP reception, silent auction and 2016 Nissan Maxima car raffle, donated by Supreme Automotive. Raffle tickets are $50 and only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is one of the organization’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the year. Hosted by a diverse group of corporate sponsors and individuals, it involves celebrities, dignitaries and more than 900 business, civic and education leaders, alumni and others who support UNCF’s mission of investing in America’s future by getting students to and through college. Last year’s UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball generated a record $1.85 million.