Christmas came early for the United Negro College Fund as its annual Mayor’s Masked Ball raised an impressive $4 million to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Dec. 21, as reported by Black Enterprise. Held at the Signia Hotel, the event welcomed over 2,000 guests dedicated to empowering diverse scholars and institutions.

Actor Anthony Anderson, a proud Howard University alum, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, which featured performances by hip-hop icon Big Boi and legendary singer Charlie Wilson. Themed “A Night of Elegance and Generosity: Celebrating Support for HBCUs and Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders,” the masquerade illuminated UNCF’s mission of promoting educational opportunities for Black youth.

Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, celebrated the organization’s significant contributions over its 80-year history, having raised approximately $6 billion to support higher education for African Americans. Reflecting on his 20 years of leadership, Lomax shared, “We’ve helped over 600,000 students get a college education, and over the last 20 years, we’ve raised $4 billion, and over the last four years, we’ve raised over a billion dollars. We’re helping more students than ever before, and HBCUs are more popular than ever before.”

The ball, hosted by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, emphasized the collaboration between celebrities, elected officials, and corporate leaders to support academic achievement. This year’s event honored Nicole “Nikki” Loftin, president of Social Impact and the UPS Foundation, recognizing her contributions to the cause.

As UNCF continues its mission, the call remains strong for support to ensure that HBCU scholars can fulfill their academic ambitions. Donations are crucial in maintaining momentum, reminding supporters that “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” The legacy of the Mayor’s Masked Ball reinforces the ongoing necessity for funding in pursuit of higher education for all.