The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, recently held a kick-off reception for its annual UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala – Chicago, at the Hyatt Regency.
The annual, million dollar gala event raises funds for disadvantaged students to attend college. Last year, UNCF gave more than 260 scholarships to deserving Illinois students.
The fun and festive kick-off event brought together some of Chicago’s most influential corporate, civic, political and community leaders including Tom Ricketts, “A Mind Is…” gala chairman and executive chairman of the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs organization is this year’s UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala Presenting Sponsor.
Kick-off guests also included UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala Community Award Honorees Timothy J. Rand, president and CEO, MAC One; Everett Rand, owner, Midway Wholesalers; and Larry Huggins, president and CEO, Riteway-Huggins Construction Services; Education Award Honoree Shayne Evans, CEO and director, University of Chicago Charter School, managing director, University of Chicago Urban Education Institute; and Alumni Award Honoree D’Rita Robinson, founder and CEO, Chatty Guest.
UNCF local and regional leadership welcomed guests to the kick-off, including Fred Mitchell, VP, Development, Northern/Midwest Division; Lisa Rollins, regional director, Workplace Initiatives; Kathleen Jackson, area development director; and Priscilla Stratten, development director.
The “A Mind Is…” Gala will be held Saturday, June 17, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago. The gala name comes from UNCF’s decades-old slogan “A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.”
As a part of the “A Mind Is…” Gala, Commonwealth Edison will receive the Corporate Award for its continual commitment to the work of UNCF.
2017 “A Mind Is…” Gala donors and partners include BMO Harris Bank, ITW, US Bank, ComEd, Allstate, NBC5 Chicago, WinTrust, AT&T, InTren, GCM Grosvenor, Chase, Boeing, Chicago Defender, Associated Bank, Nicor Gas, Northwestern Kellogg School of Business.
For tickets and information, visit uncf.org/events. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 312-845-2200.
