UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host its 4^th annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball on Friday, February 28, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront. Nearly 500 corporate partners, educators, religious leaders and community influencers are expected to attend including the Honorable Donna Deegan (who will speak at 8 pm), Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr., President and CEO of Edward Waters University (EWU) and Champion of Education Honoree, former CSX CEO Michael Ward.

For more than 80 years, UNCF has strived to change the HBCU narrative across the nation by equipping more historically Black college and university (HBCU) students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately establish careers that will build better futures for our society.

“I believe 2025 is a year ripe with potential for growth, innovation and the opportunity to contribute positively to the mission of UNCF and the value of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs),” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.

“I am particularly excited about events like this one and other initiatives we have lined up for this year,” he continued “Together, we have the opportunity to nurture collaboration, spark creativity and strengthen our collective resilience to provide the essential financial resources necessary to ensure the continued success of HBCUs and their students.

Dr. Lomax added, “As we approach our ninth decade of existence, UNCF remains vigilant and more committed than ever to achieving our mission of helping underrepresented students to fulfill their college dreams and attain career success. No obstacles that might come our way will impede our progress. We stand ready to fight for the critical financial resources HBCUs will need to tackle the challenges and opportunities that await them. Events like the Jacksonville Mayor’s Masked Ball help us do just that.”

The event is co-chaired by Mr. Arthur Adams and Mr. John Claybrooks. Sponsors include CSX, Florida Blue, Hyatt Regency Riverfront, Action News Jax, Crowley, Wells-Fargo, AT&T and many others.

“This evening is more than just a fundraiser—it is a celebration of the transformative power of education. We believe that education is the cornerstone of progress, and it takes dedicated community champions to bring that vision to life,” shared President Faison.

This year, Michael Ward will receive the UNCF Champion of Education award for his steadfast commitment to education and unwavering support of UNCF. “Recognizing individuals like Michael Ward, who share EWU’s unwavering commitment to advancing educational equity and access has made a profound impact, not only in Jacksonville but across the nation, added President Faison. “Through his philanthropic efforts, including substantial investments in student scholarships, school revitalization projects, and innovative learning initiatives, Mr. Ward has empowered countless students to achieve their dreams”. 

With the help of the Northeast Florida community, $585,000 was awarded last year in scholarships and programs for UNCF-member HBCUs and other colleges and universities, including Edward Waters University. Additionally, more than $300,000 was raised to help deserving students from the Jacksonville area get to and through college successfully.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Paul Gloersen at 407.491.1264 or by email at paul.gloersen@uncf.org. To stay connected to UNCF throughout the year, please visit uncf/org/jaxmmb. You can also follow this event @UNCF #UNCF #UNCFJacksonville on social media.

 
About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

About Edward Waters University
Edward Waters University (EWU), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically Black, urban institution of higher education, which offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the Christian principles of high moral and spiritual values. EWU was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of higher learning. It is the first private and independent institution of higher education in the State of Florida.