It was a masquerade all for a good cause at the first United Negro College Fund Masked Ball in Chicago held at the Marriott Downtown. The room was packed with Chicago’s glitterati all gathered to raise money to support deserving students at UNCF colleges across the country. The evening’s Masters of Ceremonies were NBC 5’s Marion Brooks and legend Merri Dee with entertainment provided by the famed R&B group Zapp. Several companies including ComEd and FTI Consulting sponsored the event. The most exciting part of the evening, the live auction, featured trips, V.I.P. sports experiences and even an African Safari, which captured the largest bid of the evening. Almost everyone got into the spirit by wearing an ornately designed mask and putting them on display during the mask parade toward the end of the evening. Several Chicago dignitaries and corporate titans participated in the event including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Anne Pramaggiore, President and CEO of ComEd and gala Chairman, Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF. The timeless group Zapp wrapped up the evening with their hits including, “Computer Love” and “More Bounce to the Ounce.”
