UNCF’s AMI Gala Raises $700K, Celebrates Black Excellence

Target received the “A Mind Is…” Gala Corporate Award. Left to right are: Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president for field development, UNCF; Kenya Joyce Hatch, area development director, Chicago, UNCF; Fred Mitchell, vice president of development for UNCF’s Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions; Jalah Hood, Target Scholar; Ron Brown, vice president of Community Impact, Target; and Lisa Rollins, regional development director, Workplace, UNCF (Credit: Ven Sherrod). Black eminence, in all its splendor, was on full display at the United Negro College Fund’s “A Mind Is…” (AMI) Gala at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.& Thousands packed the ballroom on a recent Saturday in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the venerable UNCF, supporting its mission to help underrepresented students become highly qualified college graduates while increasing the overall number of African American grads.& Donors of all kinds came through spectacularly.& According to UNCF Regional Development Director, Workplace, Lisa Rollins, the event raised $700,000. Rollins added that “monies are still coming in from donations and our online auction. It’s never too late to give.” Indeed, the immaculately attired guests, many of them dignitaries from the community, partied with a purpose.& The festivities started with the Chicago State University Music Trio delivering...