ATLANTA – A sea of well-heeled black dignitaries, socialites and celebrities turned out at the annual Mayor’s Masked Ball at the downtown Marriott Marquis to support the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in raising an unprecedented $1.1 million to keep black students in college. Backed by local corporate sponsors, the city’s new mayor, Kasim Reed, hosted the gala, which was created to benefit the nonprofit organization.
Noting that it’s his first term in office, Reed made it clear that he wanted to prove his commitment to the UNCF and the community by achieving the impossible goal, despite a down economy. His guests dug deep, donating to and participating in silent auctions, all in the name of supporting education and its impact on the future of the country.
Roger Bobb of Tyler Perry Studios staged an impromptu live auction of two roles in an upcoming Tyler Perry movie, which raised $20,000 for the philanthropic organization, then later donated a remaining $50,000 needed to achieve the extraordinary goal.
To round out the evening, R&B singer Fantasia Barrino delivered a rousing performance of several of her hits. The singer also borrowed from Prince’s and Aretha Franklin’s catalogs by doing renditions of “Purple Rain” and “Rock Steady.” Building upon her natural energy and passion, Fantasia brought many to tears as she expressed regret for numerous transgressions and thanked God for her success.
Other luminaries in attendance included Julius Erving, Dawnn Lewis, Freda Payne, Elizabeth Omilami, former Atlanta Mayor and US Ambassador Andrew Young, Bernadette Stanis, Fonzworth Bentley, Akon, Devyne Stephens, Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida, Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas, Comedian Jonathan Slocumb, B. Smith, Hank Aaron and Kenny Leon.
[slidepress gallery=’uncf-tyler-perry-and-black-elite’]
